Environment DEC
From the July 2009 issue
Damaging Invasive Beetles Found in New York State
Characteristic galleries created by the tunneling larvae
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis announced the discovery of an emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in Randolph, Cattaraugus County. To date, approximately 30 trees are infested or highly suspected of being infested. The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. This is the first time it has been detected in New York.
Commissioner Grannis said, "This is yet another wake-up call for all New Yorkers that invasive species pose a grave threat to the health of our natural resources and ecosystems, and ultimately, our economy. Tough but practical measures, such as quarantines, firewood " regulations, public education and other regulatory actions will continue to be needed if we are to limit the damage from EAB and other invasives."
Beetles can kill a tree in about 2 years
Emerald Ash Borer
The larvae of the EAB damages trees by feeding in tunnels called galleries in the phloem just below the bark. These serpentine galleries disrupt water and nutrient transport, causing branches and, eventually, the entire tree to die. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Other signs of infection include tree canopy dieback, yellowing, extensive sprouting from the roots and trunk (called "epicormic shoots") and browning of leaves. Infested trees also may exhibit woodpecker damage from larvae extraction. New York State has been surveying for EAB since 2003, inspecting declining ash trees and setting traps in western and eastern New York, Long Island and New York City. Until the recent discovery, no signs of EAB were ever detected in the state.
Survey and Strategy
The USDA and New York State staff will survey trees and deploy more traps in the area infested to assess the extent and age of the infestation. Information from this survey will help determine the response strategy, which could range from tree removals to the quarantine of ash products. DEC's firewood regulations prohibiting out-of-state transport of untreated firewood and intra-state movement of untreated firewood more than 50 miles remain in effect and are an extremely important tool to contain this damaging pest.
What You Can Do
New Yorkers are urged to do the following steps to keep EAB from spreading to other areas of the state:
• Leave all firewood at home; do not bring it to campgrounds or parks.
• Get your firewood at the campground or from a local vendor, and ask for a receipt or label that has the firewood's local source.
• If you choose to transport firewood within New York State:
o It must have a receipt or label that has the firewood's source, and it must remain within 50 miles of that source.
o For firewood not purchased (i.e., cut from your own property), you must have a Self-Issued Certificate of Source, and the firewood must have been harvested within 50 miles of your destination.
o Only firewood labeled as meeting New York's heat-treatment (i.e., kiln dried) standards to kill pests may be transported into the state and further than 50 miles from the firewood's source.
• If you suspect your ash trees are infested by EAB, call 1-866-640-0652.
