Above image from www.emeraldashborer.info
Introduction
The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species of insect that belongs to the Buprestidae family. Although its natural habitat is in Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Russian Far East), it made its way to North America in 2002. It was discovered in Michigan in June of 2002, however some estimate it arrived 10 years earlier. Since 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and Maryland in addition to Michigan.
The Emerald Ash Borer is considered an invasive species because of its detrimental effect on ash trees. The majority of damage that is done to trees is not done by the mature adults, it is done by the larva. The larvae, after hatching, bore through the chorion of the egg through the bark, and into the phloem of the ash tree. The most damage is done over the next approximate 300 days of the larval stage, as it burrows, consuming phloem incessantly. The Emerald Ash Borer has 4 instar stages in larval development that occur over the fall, winter, and spring. Unfortunately, it does not take very long for this insect to have a significant impact on ash trees. In as little as 2 years for small ash trees and 3-5 years for larger ash trees, the emerald ash borer can sufficiently consume enough phloem and cambium to kill the tree. This damage occurs out of sight under the bark, this makes it very difficult to diagnose Emerald Ash Borer infestations until it is too late. However, some research is being done (see the 'Signs and Symptoms' page) that is resulting in a much earlier diagnosis that may lead to saving trees and improving the efficiency of agencies involved in tracking the Emerald Ash Borer.
The Emerald Ash Borer has destroyed millions of ash trees in North America since it was discovered in 2002. This pest is a major economic hindrance in the United States and some estimates suggest that the economic impact of the Emerald Ash Borer will be between $395,943 and $769,687 per 1,000 residents. This study was done in four states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and assumed that there was a complete loss of ash due to the Emerald Ash Borer. It takes into account tree removal, replacement of trees, and landscape losses. Lanscape losses include increased heating and cooling costs, reduced property values, increased storm water runoff, reduced wildlife habitat, and reduced aesthetic quality. (Sydnor et al. 2011). The impact of the Emerald Ash Borer is substantial and is something that must take a high priority to not only avoid ash population loss, but also severe economic losses.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Buprestidae
Genus: Agrilus
Species: Planipennis
The Emerald Ash Borer is considered an invasive species because of its detrimental effect on ash trees. The majority of damage that is done to trees is not done by the mature adults, it is done by the larva. The larvae, after hatching, bore through the chorion of the egg through the bark, and into the phloem of the ash tree. The most damage is done over the next approximate 300 days of the larval stage, as it burrows, consuming phloem incessantly. The Emerald Ash Borer has 4 instar stages in larval development that occur over the fall, winter, and spring. Unfortunately, it does not take very long for this insect to have a significant impact on ash trees. In as little as 2 years for small ash trees and 3-5 years for larger ash trees, the emerald ash borer can sufficiently consume enough phloem and cambium to kill the tree. This damage occurs out of sight under the bark, this makes it very difficult to diagnose Emerald Ash Borer infestations until it is too late. However, some research is being done (see the 'Signs and Symptoms' page) that is resulting in a much earlier diagnosis that may lead to saving trees and improving the efficiency of agencies involved in tracking the Emerald Ash Borer.
The Emerald Ash Borer has destroyed millions of ash trees in North America since it was discovered in 2002. This pest is a major economic hindrance in the United States and some estimates suggest that the economic impact of the Emerald Ash Borer will be between $395,943 and $769,687 per 1,000 residents. This study was done in four states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and assumed that there was a complete loss of ash due to the Emerald Ash Borer. It takes into account tree removal, replacement of trees, and landscape losses. Lanscape losses include increased heating and cooling costs, reduced property values, increased storm water runoff, reduced wildlife habitat, and reduced aesthetic quality. (Sydnor et al. 2011). The impact of the Emerald Ash Borer is substantial and is something that must take a high priority to not only avoid ash population loss, but also severe economic losses.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Buprestidae
Genus: Agrilus
Species: Planipennis