EMERALD ASH BORER: SMALL INSECT, BIG PROBLEM! Photo taken by Phil Nixon

WHAT IS THE EMERALD ASH BORER? THE EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB) IS A SHINY GREEN INSECT THAT MEASURES ABOUT ½” LONG. IT BELONGS TO A GROUP OF BORER BEETLES CALLED BUPRESTIDS – THEY ARE QUITE COMMON THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire

THE LIFE CYCLE OF EAB

The adult female lays eggs in the crevices of the ash tree bark The adult female lays eggs in the crevices of the ash tree bark. Newly hatched larvae bore through the bark and feed on the tree’s vascular tissue. As they grow, larvae zigzag through tree tissue, leaving S-shaped tunnels that are flat and wide and filled with frass (excrement). Frass Bark Cambial tissue

Larvae (August to April) Larvae are creamy white with flat, broad shaped bodies and bell-shaped body segments. Mature larvae are about 1 inch long. EAB larvae never enter the heartwood of the tree but rather remain in the outer layer’s of the tree, right under the bark.

Pupae (April To Early May) When warmer weather arrives, larvae begin to pupate. Newly formed adults remain under the bark for 8 to 15 days as their outer “shells” harden.

Adults (May Through September) Adults emerge from the tree through “D” shaped exit holes.

WHY IS THIS SMALL INSECT SUCH A BIG PROBLEM? Because it is an invasive insect that is currently destroying ash trees in the urban and natural forests throughout North America!

Range of ash in North America Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) are quite common in the forests and urban areas of the eastern 2/3 of North America. What’s at risk? SEVEN BILLION ASH TREES!

Because…. there are ~150 million ash trees in Indiana forests. Losing 6% of a tree species will be devastating in forested areas. there are ~150 million ash trees in Indiana forests.

And… In some cities and towns, ash trees make up 40%- 80% of the street trees. Losing that many trees in a community is costly and hazardous as the ash trees dry out and begin to fall. there are at least 1.5 million ash trees in urban areas in Indiana.

ALL native North American ash trees are vulnerable to EAB. Blue ash Black ash All ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America are susceptible to EAB. Mountain ash (Sorbus americana) are not true ash trees and are not attacked by EAB. White ash Green ash

Once an ash tree is heavily infested with EAB, it will die within 1 to 3 years. Emerald ash borer larvae usually attack by the hundreds or thousands, causing the tree to lose virtually all of its vascular tissue in a short period of time. The bark was removed from this dead ash tree to reveal the extensive damage caused by heavy larval feeding.

WHERE DID EAB COME FROM? The native range of EAB has a similar habitat to the areas in North America where it has been found.

HOW DID EAB ARRIVE IN NORTH AMERICA? EAB arrived in solid wood packing materials. Solid wood packing material includes wooden crates, pallets, and dunnage used to stabalize cargo on ships that contain goods imported from other countries.

Wood packing material harbors bark- and wood-boring insects because they often: Are manufactured from recently cut trees. Are not treated with heat or chemicals. Contain bark.

Once invasive wood borers make it to US ports, they have no trouble finding transportation to new areas.

WHEN DID EAB ARRIVE IN NORTH AMERICA? EAB was first identified in the Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario areas in June of 2002, but it probably arrived in North America in the early 1990s.

WHY IS EAB A BIGGER PROBLEM IN NORTH AMERICA THAN IN ASIA? In Asia, EAB has co-evolved with Asian ash trees. There are natural enemies and pathogens that keep EAB levels low. It is Considered a SECONDARY pest.

In North America, EAB has NOT co-evolved with North American ash so there are no natural enemies and pathogens to keep populations of EAB in check. It is called a PRIMARY pest. In North America, EAB acts as a PRIMARY PEST of ash trees, killing not only ash that has been weakened by other problems, but healthy ones as well.

How EAB Spreads Natural spread of EAB is local (1/4 to 1/2 mile per year). Artificial or human-assisted spread moves the beetle much farther and faster in a less predictable manner. Emerald ash borer larva is easily moved in ash products such as firewood, logs, and nursery stock. The larval stage of the insect is difficult to detect as it exists solely under the trees’ bark.

EAB larvae is often moved in: ash firewood. raw ash wood with bark. dunnage and crating for heavy goods made from ash. ash nursery stock. ash lumber and wood with bark attached. It is crucial that people stop accidentally (or intentionally) moving EAB to new sites.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO ARREST THAT PEST! DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD!