Emerald Ash Borer

Big Threat – Small Package

Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an ash tree-destroying insect that is coming our way. This invasive (spreading) species was accidentally brought to the United States from Asia in the 1990s. It was first discovered in Michigan in 2002. Since then it has been found in Ontario, Canada, and the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Although it can fly short distances on its own, much of its spread is due to humans transporting it as larvae burrowed under the bark of firewood or landscape trees.

In North America, EAB only kills ash trees. But it does so in great number. EAB has killed millions of ash trees already. It is expected to have a huge effect on Minnesota’s landscape and the 937 million ash trees that grow in our cities and forests.

Effects of Emerald Ash Borer

Killed tens of millions of ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, with tens of millions more lost in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri, Wisconsin, Virginia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Caused regulatory agencies and the USDA to enforce quarantines (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or hardwood firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs.

Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars.

Office of the Environment will be setting out traps to see if this species is prevalent on LSIC. Traps are made out of a purple corrugated cardboard.