Emerald Ash Borer

An introduced (alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native) species is a species living outside its native habitat. This species have arrived by human activity, either deliberate or accidental. Some introduced species are damaging to the ecosystem they are introduced into, others have no negative effect and some can be beneficial. A recently introduced species to Wisconsin is the emerald ash borer. Unfortunately the emerald ash borer has negative effects, is invasive, was brought to Wisconsin and other states by accident, and is not welcome to the area.
The emerald ash borer is a beetle that is bright, metallic green, about 1/2″ long with a flat back. It has purple abdominal segments under its wing covers. The emerald ash borer can fit on the head of a penny, and is hard to spot in the wild. The emerald ash borer is native to northern China and Korea. It can also be found in eastern Russia, Japan, and Mongolia. It is believed the emerald ash borer traveled to the United States by stowing away in some wood packing material. It can be found in the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Unfortunately other states can be at risk. The beetle as also has been found in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. The emerald ash borer was first discovered in Southeast Michigan in 2002. It has then spread to other area of the Unites States of America.
The real problem with the emerald ash borer is the larvae. Like many insects, the emerald ash borer has four distinct life stages: adult, egg, larva, and pupa. Its larvae cause the damage to ash trees. They do this by tunneling into the bark of the tree. As this is done it cuts off the food and water supplies to the trees causing the tree to eventually starve. This has resulted in tens of millions trees being destroyed and dying off. The ash trees generally die after about 3 years of infestation. The emerald ash borer has killed trees in neighborhoods, parks and forests. This of course results in the loss of money for many municipalities, companies, and home owners. If the emerald ash borer is not stopped and continues to spread the costs and economic harm could be quite detrimental.
The emerald ash borer can hide in a number of places, and really just about anywhere. It can hide in tree stumps, branches, logs, wood chips (composted or un-composted), and firewood. The most common way they travel is by the moving of firewood. Even though the adult emerald ash borers are strong flyers, they generally don’t travel more than ½ of a mile on their own. These beetles are spread by humans. The biggest way to prevent them from spreading is by not moving firewood. Even after a tree is cut for firewood the larvae can still live and develop into the flying beetle, thus continuing the process. If you burn your firewood where you bought it or cut it, this greatly reduces the risk of them spreading.
The death of trees from the emerald ash borer larvae doesn’t just affect humans. Of course any economic loss is not good, but there are also whole ecosystems that are involved. Squirrels, birds, and other insects inhabit ash trees. Also, the trees are used for shade and shelter for many other animals in the North American Forest ecosystem.
There are many actions being taken to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer. According to "Environmental Education For Kids" (n.d.), “A national plan, coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), guides what federal, state and local officials must do to manage this insect. Infested areas are quarantined, which means that things like ash firewood, nursery trees, and ash logs may not be moved out of areas where there are EAB. In Wisconsin, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is currently leading efforts to watch for the EAB and respond to these alien invaders. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service, DATCP and the University of Wisconsin are conducting surveys and setting traps near where EAB has been found and in areas that are at high risk for introduction of the emerald ash borer. These include camping areas and locations where ash trees may have been planted within the last 10 years. Public information and education efforts are focusing on reporting possible sightings of EAB and restricting the movement of firewood.”
The emerald ash borer is a very invasive species that is causing more harm than good. This is an unwelcomed introduced species that was brought to the United States and Canada by accident. There are many precautions and actions being taken to prevent the spread of these beetles. Just like any unwelcomed species they are causing more harm than good and there will be a continual fight to stop them.
References:
Environmental Education for Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/critter/insect/emeraldashborer.htm
Stop the Beetle. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://stopthebeetle.info/