Columbia County
Greene County

Emerald Ash Borer

EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species.  It is an invasive, non-native insect.  The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) was first discovered in the U.S. in 2002 in southeastern Michigan, and probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. The first detection of EAB in New York was Cattaraugus County in June 2009. Subsequent infestations have been confirmed in other counties including Albany, Alleghany, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Genesee, Greene, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Ulster, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties.

This Asian beetle infests and kills North American ash species (Fraxinus sp.) including green, white, black and blue ash. Consequently, all native ash trees are susceptible. In this region ash trees represent approximately 7-10% of the forest composition. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Adults are roughly 3/8 to 5/8 inch long with metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen. They may be present from late May through early September but are most common in June and July. Signs of infection include tree canopy dieback, yellowing, and browning of leaves. Infested trees may also exhibit woodpecker damage from larvae extraction. Most trees die within 2 to 4 years of becoming infested. Damage is caused by the larvae, which feed in tunnels called galleries in the phloem just below the bark. The serpentine galleries disrupt water and nutrient transport, causing branches, and eventually the entire tree, to die.

In a short amount of time, communities all over the Hudson Valley region will need to deal with dead, hazardous ash trees that will need to be taken down.  It is recommended that community leaders plan for this now in order to reduce the financial impact and to protect life and property, including Emerald Ash Borer Community Preparedness Plan Development, to help assist municipalities in dealing with this insect.

In addition all New Yorkers are urged to keep EAB from spreading to other areas of the state including by leaving all firewood at home – and not bringing it to campgrounds or parks. Movement of firewood is one of the primary pathways for spreading this insect.

There is additional information about the emerald ash borer biology, ways to identify ash tree and information about the regulation to not move firewood, and much more at http://nyis.info/eab

Emerald Ash Borer NYS First Detector Training

Want to help in the fight with Emerald Ash Borer? We're looking for First Detectors who want to:

• Become a local expert who can answer EAB biology and management questions.
• Aid in the community preparedness planning process.
• Engage others as volunteers to monitor for EAB, conduct street tree inventories, collect ash seed and educate about the issues surrounding Emerald Ash Borer.

These training sessions will go over in-depth details of EAB biology, signs and symptoms, hosts, control and management, reporting, and resources through presentations and hands-on field activities at near-by EAB infested locations. Materials have been created by Cornell University and the Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network. These workshops are supported by a Northeastern IPM Center- IPM Partnership Grant.

Who should take this training?

Anyone who is concerned about EAB. But especially if you are a: Cornell Cooperative Extension employee; Cornell Cooperative Extension volunteer (Master Gardener, Master Forest Owner, Master Naturalist, 4-H Leader); PRISM partner (Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management); SWCD or NRCS employee; Arborist; Forester; Logger; Landscaper; Planner; Environmental Educator; Municipal Employee; or a  Community Volunteer

First Detectors can give back.

There is huge public demand for answers on what to do about EAB. As a trained EAB First Detector, you'll have those answers. We hope that you will be able to help the greater community by sharing your EAB knowledge, participating in community preparedness activities, or monitoring for EAB.

Workshop Details

May 14, 2012
1-5 pm at the Agroforestry Resource Center (CCE Columbia and Greene) 6055 Route 23, Acra, NY 12405.

May 18, 2012
1-5 pm at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve and Environmental Education Center (Erie County), 93 Honorine Dr. Depew, NY 14043.

May 29, 2012
1-5 pm at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620.

All sessions are FREE, but registration is required. Please register at  http://tinyurl.com/7b9l3ep

These courses are eligible for: 2.5 ISA CEUs, 0.5 NYLT TLC elective credits, and 4 CNLP credits.

NYS DEC Pesticide & SAF CF credits have been applied for. Please stay tuned to the Events section of http://nyis.info/eab for updates.

Questions?  Email Rebecca at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 607-334-5841 x 16

EAB Photo credit:  David Cappeart, Michigan State University