Emerald Ash Borer information - Brochure - Adobe PDF (514 Kb)

Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire

The emerald ash borer was first identified in North America in southeastern Michigan in 2002. Larvae of the beetle feed in the tissues under the bark of ash trees ( Fraxinus spp.) causing the girdling and death of branches and entire trees. Adults of the species are active from mid-May until September. Since its discovery in Michigan, the beetle has been detected in Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring areas in Canada. Over 20 million ash trees have been lost to this pest, which usually kills ash trees within three years of infestation. Symptoms of ash decline, which may be caused by emerald ash borer or other stressors, include upper crown dieback, yellow foliage or small branches that come directly out of the trunk. Signs of emerald ash borer include adult beetles or larvae, “D” shaped emergence hole, “S” shaped galleries under bark, woodpecker damage, and flat-headed beetle caterpillars or adults.

The DCNR Bureau of Forestry participates in a multi-agency task force assembled to detect and control this invasive threat to Pennsylvania ash trees. Other cooperating members of the task force include USDA/APHIS, USFS, PA Department of Agriculture, and Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Since 2003, the Bureau of Forestry has been surveying for the early detection of emerald ash borer on state-owned forestlands. Visual and Trap Tree Survey results were negative from 2003-2006. Currently, trap trees are the most effective means for detecting this pest. Trap trees are trees that have been intentionally wounded by girdling. Research has shown them to be attractive breeding sites for the emerald ash borer. The trees are taken down in fall, and the bark is removed to inspect for EAB larvae and adult emergence holes.

On June 21, 2007 , emerald ash borer was detected for the first time in the state in Cranberry township, Butler County , PA by two USDA APHIS surveyors. They collected two adults using a sweep net while conducting visual surveys that are part of the joint EAB taskforce detection effort. State and federal officials are currently working to intensify surveys near the detection site in order to determine the extent and severity of the infestation.

PA Department of Agriculture has imposed a quarantine in Butler , Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence Counties to slow the spread of emerald ash borer. The quarantine is designed to help slow the spread of the beetle. Pennsylvania's quarantine restricts the movement of ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches, and all wood chips from the quarantined area. Due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood firewood—including ash, oak, maple and hickory—are considered quarantined.

The spread of emerald ash borer has been linked to the transportation of infested nursery stock and firewood.

Link to PADA Firewood Quarantine, Compliance Order and Site Map

Link to the Penn State Dept. of Entomology's Emeral Ash Borer web site

To report possible infested trees in Pennsylvania, contact:
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture 1-866-253-7189
For more information on emerald ash borer, visit: www.emeraldashborer.info

Return to Invasive Threats Home

Home · Contact · FAQ