Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Clark County
Friday, October 12th, 2018 -- 9:54 AM
-Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in Clark County.EAB was recently confirmed in ash trees at Snyder County Park in the Town of Hewett. Emerald ash borer adults are a bright metallic emerald green body with varying reddish reflections. The adult will lay eggs on the ash tree bark. When the eggs hatch, the larvae bore into the bark and feed on the transportation tissues of the tree. This disrupts the movement of nutrients and water within the tree, girdling it and causing tree death. The common symptom will crown dieback due to EAB damage. Another sign of EAB is a “D” shaped hole in the tree bark when the larvae exit the tree. The invasive EAB was discovered in North America in Michigan in June of 2002. This insect is native to East Asia and was accidentally brought to the United States in the wood of shipping crates from China. It is a species of metallic wood boring beetle that attacks true ash trees, usually killing trees in 1 ??" 3 years when beetle populations are high. When beetle populations are low, it can take 5 or more years for trees to die.
Emerald Ash Borer is an aggressive wood borer that attacks and kills all species of true ash. Ash trees of any size or age can be attacked and both healthy and unhealthy trees can be killed. Once the tree is infected and dying removal may be the best option. Some localities have removed all ash trees in the city limits as a control. For more information contact your local Extension Office for fact sheets for control methods or check out http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/eab/. Previously the EAB quarantine in Wisconsin was determined on a county-by-county basis. However, as of March 30, 2018, the entire state has been placed under quarantine. For additional details of the EAB quarantines in Wisconsin visit the Wisconsin DATCP EAB website.
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