Emerald Ash Borer
Learn about this invasive insect.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a quickly moving invasive pest that kills ash trees.. EAB was discovered in New Jersey in May 2014 in Somerset County.
EAB infestations throughout the U.S. and Canada have killed millions of ash trees since 2002. The USDA states that EAB and other invasive pests will have an impact on the environment similar to or greater than global warming.
Stop the Spread
EAB is commonly spread through firewood from an ash tree. Since larva feed below the bark, infested wood is difficult to recognize at a glance. EAB Wiki A mature EAB has a short life span, making reproduction highest priority. With the ability to fly, EAB quickly spreads to neighboring ash trees.
A mature adult can lay hundreds of eggs on the bark of an ash tree.
Large Damages
As the larvae eats through the cambium, the layer of the tree that transports nutrients, the trees ability to send up nutrients is impaired, leading to the death of the tree.
What are the Signs of Emerald Ash Borer?
Adults lay many eggs on the bark of an ash tree. The eggs hatch and the new larvae eat through the bark.
Once they are under the bark, the larvae will consume the trees cambium, moving through the tree in an S shaped pattern.
More info
The emerald ash borer has destroyed 40 million ash trees in Michigan alone and tens of millions throughout other states and Canada.
- . Small trees can die as soon as one to two years after infestation, while larger infested trees can survive for three to four years.
- In addition to damaging trees and affecting quality of life Heavy infestations of larval borers speed up the devastation of formerly healthy trees.
- They threaten billions of economic impact and hundreds of thousands of jobs for those in the grapes, apple, hops, and hardwood industries.
“The emerald ash borer primarily lives in the midwestern and eastern United States and parts of Canada, but is spreading fast.”
Symptoms
Know the symptoms of EAB: thinning or dying of ash tree crowns, suckers at the base of the tree, splitting bark, tunneling under the bark, D-shaped exit holes and woodpecker activity.