Nature Net News Special Edition
Invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer
Special Issue
Emergency, Emergency!
The Emerald Ash Borer
"The Emerald Ash Borer is not
as "bore-ing"
as you think. It's a menace that must be stopped."
Anonymous College Student
Dear Reader, The green coats are coming! The green coats are coming! No, we're not in line for another Revolutionary War, but the Emerald Ash Borer is invading Wisconsin and parts of North America, and destroying ash trees. Already over ten million ash trees have been destroyed. These metallic green menaces were first introduced to the US in 2002 when they were found in Michigan. They are native to Asia, and probably crossed the pond in wood products shipped by boat or airplane. According to research by the US Forest Service and Michigan State University, the Emerald Ash Borer is 100 percent fatal to our native ash trees of any size, any age, healthy or unhealthy. Happy Spring! Kathe & Sarah |
The Emerald Ash Borer was found for the first time in Wisconsin in August, 2008 near the community of Newburg, along the northern Ozaukee and Washington County line.
For a map of EAB infested areas, click here.
Larvae and pupa can be found only UNDERNEATH the bark.
Emerald Ash Borers rarely wander more than a mile from the infected tree they were born in.
The larvae are the biggest threats to the Ash tree. Adults merely munch on leaves and cause minimal damage.
A robust invasive insect population like the Emerald Ash Borer can decimate a forest in as little as two to five years.
How to Identify:
Key Characteristics:
The mature Emerald Ash Borer is a very small metallic green beetle that emerges from Ash trees between late May to mid July. It is very small, only 3/8 - 1/2 inch long and 1/16 inch wide. But don't be fooled, a pregnant female can lay 60-90 eggs during her three week life cycle.
Confusing Beetles
There are several beetles that can be mistaken for the Emerald Ash Borer, so check out the UW Entomology's page on similar, but not harmful to ash trees, insects.
Tricks for finding Emerald Ash Borers in Your Trees and Others:
Crown Dieback
If the crown (top branches) of the ash is starting to show dead limbs, it may be a sign of the Emerald Ash Borer, or some other ailment. While this is a main symptom, check the tree for another sign mentioned below.
"D" shaped Holes
When the mature Emerald Ash Borer leaves the tree, it leaves a small hole shaped like a "D". This is one of the main ways to figure out if your tree is infected.
"S" shaped patterns underneath bark
Emerald Ash Borer larvae can survive for over two years underneath Ash tree bark creating s-shaped patterns as they chew and grow during the larval stage. Emerald Ash Borers can also survive in firewood piles for up to two years.
Woodpeckers
If you have a ton of woodpeckers pecking on your ash tree, they may be feeding on the larvae under the bark.
More Signs
Other signs not mentioned above can be found in PDF format, here.
What You Can Do To Help:
BYO Firewood=BIG NO NO
Firewood is an extremely easy way for a variety of pests, including the Gypsy Moth, Oak Wilt, and the Emerald Ash Borer, to traverse the state, so use local firewood. If you don't, you could face an $1,000 fine! Read more here.
Insecticides
Read here for more information about using insecticide.
Be Aware!
If you see a large, triangular purple box in a tree, know that it has been placed there by monitoring agencies to attract male EAB which are attracted to the bright color which mimics the color of the female EAB when her wings are out. The trap is covered in non-toxic glue on all sides and baited with an oil lure to attract the adult beetles.
For More Information
Craft
Sites to Check Out:
*Green Menace-Emerald Ash Borer
- the Wisconsin DNR EEK! for kids
*Emerald Ash Borer
Resource Guide - Wisconsin's own webpage on this menace and how to
try to control it.
*Lurkers
Going Berserk - a fun, game-filled booklet from the DNR about
invasive insect species in Wisconsin including a fun Emerald Ash Borer
origami project.
*Aldo Leopold Nature Center's
Blue Ribbon Project - learn how to
identify and monitor your own ash tree in four easy steps.
*Emerald Ash
Borer - by the University of Wisconsin Madison's Entomology
Department.
*Emerald
Ash Borer
- an international website for information and press about the Emerald
Ash Borer.
Build a Beetle
Though these bugs are magnified many times compared
to the actual Emerald Ash Borer, check out this cool PDF from the
Wisconsin DNR site to build your own Emerald Ash Borer using a
clothespin, paint and shiny green foil!
Check it out here!
Check Out These Sites!
Suggested Reading:
"What Can We Do About Invasive Species?" by Lorijo Metz
(4-8)
"Emerald Ash Borer" by Susan Heinrichs Gray (9-12)
"Alien Invaders:
Species That Threaten Our World" by Jane Drake and Ann Love (9-12)
"Invasive
Ecology" by Julie Lockwood, Martha Hoopes, and Michael Marchetti (teen)
This document was funded in part by an urban
forestry grant from the
State
of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry Program
as
authorized under s. 23.097, Wis. Stat.
