Goldspotted Press Release 2026
Cal Fire San Luis Obispo announced that an invasive oak tree pest has been spotted in Ventura county.
The invasive Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is a beetle native to southern Arizona, and is considered an invasive pest. Large oaks, according to Cal Fire, can die within just a few years of infestation.
GSOB’s travels and spreads through the movement of infested firewood. Cal Fire says the first GSOB infested coast live oak in Ventura county was identified in August 2024, and a second dead oak has been spotted in April 2025, followed by several other dead oaks in May 2025.
Cal Fire recommends residents to be aware of this pest, and inspect local oaks when possible for signs of GSOB’s.
