Be on the lookout for emerald ash borer!

Be on the lookout for emerald ash borer! The emerald ash borer ( Agrilus planipennis ) is not known to exist in North Carolina. This non-native invasive pest was first observed killing ash trees around Detroit, Michigan in 2002 and since then has spread outward. It is now found in the following states and provinces: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Ontario, and Quebec. Since it was initially identified, emerald ash borer (EAB) has killed tens of millions of ash ( Fraxinus spp.) trees in Michigan and tens of millions more across the rest of the listed states. Though ash is a minor component in the forests of North Carolina, it is a popular urban tree statewide. How will I recognize emerald ash borer? The symptoms of EAB attack are much more easily noticed than finding the actual beetle itself. The crowns of ash trees begin to thin from the top down and lose their leaves when attacked. In addition, increased woodpecker activity may be observed and epicormic sprouts may form along the trunk of the tree. The infested trees basically have an overall look of decline and the trees may be infested for multiple years before the symptoms appear. There are a few native pests that can cause some or all of these symptoms, so it is important to take a closer look if you have a suspect tree. If the trees are infested by EAB, there are different signs to look for depending on the time of year. Generally, EAB overwinter as larvae, begin pupation in late April or early May, and adults begin emerging in May to June and can be found throughout the summer months. The adults are very small, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, slender, and are a metallic green. When the adult beetles emerge from the tree, they create “D” shaped exit holes. The larvae are about 1 to 1 lA inch long, flattened, and have characteristic “bell-shaped” body segments. The larvae create serpentine feeding galleries that can be found under the bark of the infested trees;