Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. It probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Since its introduction into North American, EAB is found in 18 states (Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin) and two Canadian provinces; Ontario and Quebec. In New York it is found in Erie, Monroe, Cattaraugus, Steuben, Livingston, Niagra, Albany, Orange, Ulster, Tioga, Genesee and Greene Counties.
Since its discovery, EAB has:
• Killed tens of millions of ash trees in the States and Canada.
• Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars.
EAB attacks all species of Ash (White, Green, Black.) White Ash is native and most common in New York. It is estimated that in New York's woodlots one in ten trees is Ash. Green Ash is very common in urban areas. In order for an individual to look for the bug, one must know what Ash trees look like. A quick search on the internet can help one find out how to identify an Ash tree. Once you know what an Ash tree looks like the next step is to look for signs or symptoms pointing to EAB.
The Emerald Ash Borer is a member of a family of insects called metallic wood-boring beetles (Buprestidae.) Adult EAB are a bright metallic emerald green color and can be found from late May to mid August. Adult EAB average 3/8 inch to ¾ inch long and 1/6 inch wide. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree.
It is extremely difficult to determine whether an Ash tree is or is not infested with the EAB because tree decline is usually gradual. Early symptoms of an infestation might include dead branches near the top of a tree or wild, leafy shoots growing out from its lower trunk. D-shaped exit holes 1/8 inch wide or smaller and bark splits exposing S-shaped galleries are significant signs of EAB. Woodpecker activity might also indicate the presence of EAB.
Now! Is the perfect time to look for woodpecker damage in Ash trees. The smaller woodpeckers – Downy, Red Headed, Red Bellied- are the once going after EAB larvae. Woodpecker damage has been very useful in pointing the way to trees infested with EAB. The damage is particularly obvious now and for the next couple weeks as woodpeckers are searching for EAB larvae beneath the bark. While searching for the insects the woodpeckers cause the outer bark to fall of the tree, revealing whitish patches of inner bark. Peeling the bark away to the dead wood will reveal S-shaped galleries, a characteristic exclusive to EAB. If the galleries are not S-shaped then the larvae is not EAB.
Emerald Ash Borer is on the move and we must be on the lookout for it. It is very important for citizens to become aware, educated and vigilant. Now is a great time to get out in your yards and woodlots and look for that woodpecker activity on your Ash trees. Go online to learn more about this insect pest. Talk to your local Cooperative Extension or DEC Forester.
For more information go to www.nyis.info, www.dec.ny.gov, www.cce.cornell.edu or call Lee Cornarie at 607-776-4290.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. It probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Since its introduction into North American, EAB is found in 18 states (Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin) and two Canadian provinces; Ontario and Quebec. In New York it is found in Erie, Monroe, Cattaraugus, Steuben, Livingston, Niagra, Albany, Orange, Ulster, Tioga, Genesee and Greene Counties.
Since its discovery, EAB has:
• Killed tens of millions of ash trees in the States and Canada.
• Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars.
EAB attacks all species of Ash (White, Green, Black.) White Ash is native and most common in New York. It is estimated that in New York's woodlots one in ten trees is Ash. Green Ash is very common in urban areas. In order for an individual to look for the bug, one must know what Ash trees look like. A quick search on the internet can help one find out how to identify an Ash tree. Once you know what an Ash tree looks like the next step is to look for signs or symptoms pointing to EAB.
The Emerald Ash Borer is a member of a family of insects called metallic wood-boring beetles (Buprestidae.) Adult EAB are a bright metallic emerald green color and can be found from late May to mid August. Adult EAB average 3/8 inch to ¾ inch long and 1/6 inch wide. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree.
It is extremely difficult to determine whether an Ash tree is or is not infested with the EAB because tree decline is usually gradual. Early symptoms of an infestation might include dead branches near the top of a tree or wild, leafy shoots growing out from its lower trunk. D-shaped exit holes 1/8 inch wide or smaller and bark splits exposing S-shaped galleries are significant signs of EAB. Woodpecker activity might also indicate the presence of EAB.
Now! Is the perfect time to look for woodpecker damage in Ash trees. The smaller woodpeckers – Downy, Red Headed, Red Bellied- are the once going after EAB larvae. Woodpecker damage has been very useful in pointing the way to trees infested with EAB. The damage is particularly obvious now and for the next couple weeks as woodpeckers are searching for EAB larvae beneath the bark. While searching for the insects the woodpeckers cause the outer bark to fall of the tree, revealing whitish patches of inner bark. Peeling the bark away to the dead wood will reveal S-shaped galleries, a characteristic exclusive to EAB. If the galleries are not S-shaped then the larvae is not EAB.
Emerald Ash Borer is on the move and we must be on the lookout for it. It is very important for citizens to become aware, educated and vigilant. Now is a great time to get out in your yards and woodlots and look for that woodpecker activity on your Ash trees. Go online to learn more about this insect pest. Talk to your local Cooperative Extension or DEC Forester.
For more information go to www.nyis.info, www.dec.ny.gov, www.cce.cornell.edu or call Lee Cornarie at 607-776-4290.
