Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle from Asia that was discovered (in North America) near Detroit, Michigan in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage, causing little damage. However, 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. The emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes arriving from Asia, and has most likely spread by hitchhiking on firewood transported among homes and recreation areas throughout 19 states. In addition to Missouri, the emerald ash borer has been found in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin as well as in Canada. It was discovered in southeast Missouri in July 2008 in Wayne County. In July 2012 it was discovered in Platte, Madison and Reynolds Counties, and in September Missouri’s quarantine expanded from one county (Wayne County) to eight with the addition of Carter, Iron, Madison, Reynolds and Shannon counties in southeast Missouri and Clay and Platte counties near Kansas City in September 2012.
Since its discovery in the US, EAB has killed trees, created regulatory headaches and cost millions in control measures:
- Killed tens of millions of ash trees in 19 states.
- Caused regulatory agencies to enforce quarantines and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs.
- Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries millions of dollars.
To report a possible Emerald Ash Borer infestation, call the Missouri EAB hotline at (866) 716-9974.
For information on Emerald Ash Borer in Missouri, or the current quarantine status contact Collin Wamsley, State Entomologist, Missouri Department of Agriculture at (573) 751-5505.
To learn more about the efforts of the Cooperative Missouri Emerald Ash Borer Program, visit our website at www.eab.missouri.edu.
For additional information on Emerald Ash Borer see the following links:
