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, Iowa, 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.
Over the last couple of years, EAB has been quietly expanding its range within two of our border states:
Tennessee and Virginia. Within these two states, EAB has been confirmed in five counties that border North
Carolina: Monroe, Blount, and Sevier in Tennessee and Pittsylvania and Halifax in Virginia (see the map at the
end of this document). This pest is an imminent threat to ash trees in North Carolina.
How will I recognize emerald ash borer?
The symptoms of EAB attack are much more easily noticed than finding the actual beetle itself. When a tree is
infested, the crowns of ash trees begin to thin from the top down and lose their leaves. In addition, increased
woodpecker activity may be observed and epicormic sprouts (new branches) 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 and begin pupation in late April or early May. Adults
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