Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a devastating insect pest of ash Fraxinus species, first discovered in the United States in 2002. Native to eastern Russia, northeast China, Mongolia, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, it was accidentally imported into the U.S. through infested ash crating or pallets at least ten years ago. It is capable of killing numerous ash species including green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica, a species used extensively in the central and western United States for windbreaks, shelterbelts, living snowfences, woody draw restoration, urban forests, native landscaping, xeriscapes, and other conservation plantings.

Alert!  Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Orange County

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on the U.S. Military Academy at West Point campus in Orange County, New York. On July 13, 2011, a trap that was placed in an ash tree on the campus was found to contain an adult emerald ash borer. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the discovery. The first occurrence of Emerald Ash Borer in New York State was confirmed by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets and DEC on June 17, 2009 in Randolph, New York (Cattaraugus County).

Visit the NYSDEC Web site to learn the current status of the emerald ash borer in New York State. If you detect Emerald Ash Borers or damage caused by their presence, call your county Cooperative Extension, Regional NYSDEC office, or NYSDEC at 866-640-0652 or 518-402-9425.

Emerald Ash Borer photo gallery

Ash Seed Collection Initiative

Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, East Lansing, Michigan, is taking steps to see that the ash tree doesn't vanish forever. The PMC has initiated the National Ash Tree Seed Collection Initiative. An agreement has been established to store ash tree seed at the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado. Visit their Web page to read more about the initiative and download informational materials.

NRCS This Week - An NRCS News article about the Ash Seed Project.

Stop the Beetle - Make the Promise Not to Move Firewood

Please help spread word about the effort to halt the spread of the emerald ash borer.

New Regulation for Transporting Firewood

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has a new regulation that limits the transportation of untreated firewood to less than 50 miles from its source.

Information Resources

Here's some links to help you learn more about:

• the distribution of the emerald ash borer in New York and the United States
• recognizing the emerald ash borer on your property
• damage caused by the emerald ash borer invasion
• how you can help prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer
• other nuisance and invasive animal species

Beetle Science (Cornell University)
Forest Health Protection (U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area)
National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Ohio Department of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer Program
Plant Health - Emerald Ash Borer - (USDA-APHIS) USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Systematic Entomology Laboratory - (USDA-ARS) Agricultural Research Service

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