The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive wood boring green beetle native to Asia. The Binomial names of Emerald Ash Borer are Agrilus planipennis or Agrilus marcopoli. In 2002, it was first founded in North America and in 2003 in the U.S.

About Emerald Ash Borer:

Emerald Ash Borer has been a main worry in the Midwest region of the United States. From its homeland of native Asia, The boring insect was shipped into the United States in the summer of 2002. The damage of Emerald Ash Borer is as dangerous as Chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease. Chestnut Blight killed around 3.5 billion chestnut trees to put its damage in perspective while there are 3.5 billion ash trees in Ohio alone. Only a mere 200 million elm trees was killed by Dutch elm disease while EAB threatens 7.5 billion ash trees in the United States. The entire North American Fraxinus genus was threatened by this insect while past invasive tree pests have only threatened a single species within a genus.

In the 1990s, Emerald Ash Borer accidental introduction into the United States and Canada and its subsequent detection in 2002, it has spread to eleven states and neighboring parts of Canada. Till now, it has killed minimum 50 million ash trees and intimidated to kill most of the ash trees throughout North America. The green ash and the black ash trees are chosen. After green and black ash trees are eliminated, white ash is also killed quickly. Some resistance to the emerald ash borer is displayed by Blue ash by forming callous tissue around EAB galleries; however, they are usually killed eventually as well.

Physical description of Emerald Ash Borer:

An adult emerald ash borer is 7.5 to 13.5 mm long and 4 mm (1⁄6 in) wide (average length). The diameter of the larvae is around 1 mm and 26 to 32 mm long, and is a creamy white color. Prior to hatching, the eggs turn to a yellow brown color. Adults lay eggs in crevasses in the bark. After hatching, Larvae burrow into the bark and eat the cambium and phloem, effectively girdling the tree and within two years, the death was caused. Season for emerging of the emerald ash borer is early spring to late summer. Females lay around 75 eggs, but from early May to mid-July up to 300 eggs. In southern Michigan, the life cycle of borer is estimated to be 1 year but in colder regions may be up to 2 years.

Some signs are given to identify that your tree might have emerald ash borer:

• Visible larvae galleries (s-shapes where bark has come off)
• D shaped entry holes
• Emerald ash borer adult beetles are present
• Canopy is dying out in ash tree
• Growth sprouts from base of tree.

Tiny Emerald Ash Borer beetle is a huge threat to 900 million New York trees:

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis announced the discovery of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation (EAB) in Randolph, Cattaraugus County. North American ash tree species like green, white, black and blue ash was infested and killed by EAB which is a small but destructive beetle. It has been for the first time detected in New York State.

About the invasive Asian beetle, State environmental and agricultural officials sounded a warning that over the past several years around the country tens of millions of ash trees was destroyed. Currently, little pest, Emerald Ash Borer are destroying state’s estimated 900 million ash trees. New York has over 900 million ash trees which represent about 7% of all trees in the state. Across New York State, including the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Sirex woodwasp, didymo, zebra mussels, and Eurasian water milfoil, this is the newest in a series of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species detections.

Commissioner Hooker said, “While this is the first reported finding of the Emerald Ash Borer in New York State, it is not surprising. This beetle has been detected on either side of Lake Ontario for several years now and there is little that can be done to stop the natural spread of this devastating pest. That being said, we will work diligently to learn more about the infestation and try to limit the artificial spread of the beetle here in New York through regulations, surveys and public education.”

Commissioner Grannis said, “This is yet another wake-up call for all New Yorkers that invasive species pose a grave threat to the health of our natural resources and ecosystems, and ultimately, our economy. Tough but practical measures, such as quarantines, firewood regulations, public education and other regulatory actions will continue to be needed if we are to limit the damage from EAB and other invasive.”

New York adopted regulations in 2008 that forbid untreated firewood from entering the state and restricts intrastate movement of untreated firewood over a 50-mile radius. For precaution against the introduction and spread of EAB and other invasive species this was done because of the documented risk of transmission by moving firewood. A regional forester for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Wayne W. Cooper said, “The emerald ash borer has the ability to kill all those trees should they build up to sufficient populations”, “We’re looking at this with great concern because of the potential.”

Commissioner Carol Ash of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said, “If not contained, this pest may cause significant ecological and economic harm. Working with our partners, OPRHP will do all we can to protect Southern Tier forests, and in particular, Allegany State Park. We strongly encourage park patrons to join us. Please do not bring firewood to our state parks. Buy it locally and burn all that you buy.”

An entomologist at Cornell University, Rick Hoebeke has reported the infestation to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets On June 15, 2009, after two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service employees recognized damage to some local ash trees just off Exit 16 of State Route 17/I-86. The USDA’s Systematic Entomology Laboratory at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. submits an adult beetle from the infested area with the identification, after receiving the report and conducting an initial inspection.

Jonathan Staples of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said, “The detection of the Emerald Ash Borer could have a profound effect on the state’s landscape given the huge number of ash trees located throughout New York. Exotic invasive species such as this need to be closely monitored not only for its potential to spread naturally, but also, the potential for artificial spread through firewood movement and other regulated articles.”

What other can do?

To keep EAB from spreading to other areas of the State, New Yorkers are urged to take the following steps:

• Get your firewood at the campground or from a local vendor – ask for a receipt or label that has the firewood’s local source.
• It is best to leave all firewood at home – please do not bring it to campgrounds or parks.
• Watch for signs of infestation in your ash trees. If you suspect your ash tree could be infested by EAB, go to the websites below for more information. If damage is consistent with the known symptoms of EAB infestation, report suspected damage to the state by calling 1-866-640-0652 for appropriate action as time and resources allow.
• If you choose to transport firewood within New York State: It must have a receipt or label that has the firewood’s source and it must remain within 50 miles of that source; For firewood not purchased (i.e. cut from your own property) you must have a Self-Issued Certificate of Source, and it must be sourced within 50 miles of your destination; Only firewood labeled as meeting New York’s heat treatment standards to kill pests (kiln-dried) may be transported into the state and further than 50 miles from the firewood’s source.

Troy Weldy, Director of Ecological Management for The Nature Conservancy, said: “The Emerald Ash Borer will have significant economic and environmental impacts, the likes of which western New York hasn’t seen since the Chestnut Blight or Dutch Elm Disease. This discovery emphasizes the need to establish a national early detection network around major ports of entry so we can intercept these pests before they become established. It is also important for citizens to understand that these pests are easily transported in firewood. We ask everyone to do their part by only burning wood close to where they buy it.”

Effective steps to reduce infestations and impact of Emerald Ash Borer:

• Do not bring firewood back to destination after a camping trip
• Treat already infested trees or prevent future infestation
• If you have Ash Trees in your landscape or woodlot and desire to keep them alive, consult a State-Certified Horticulturalist for treatment options. Direct-Injections to the cambial layer (soft inner bark) have proven effective.
• Purchase firewood at or near the campsite
• Know the signs and symptoms of the borer. The quicker it’s detected, the better the chance of eradication.
• Inspect firewood. Make sure it has no bark at all or signs of infestation.

Video of the hunting for Emerald Ash Borer from YouTube: