For Release: Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Multi-agency Survey to Track Possible Spread of Invasive Beetle
Emerald Ash Borer Traps Deployed throughout Western New York
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) along with other federal and state agencies is setting bait traps in ash trees across Western New York in an effort to vigilantly monitor the possible spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a tree-killing beetle.
Traps to attract and catch the EAB are being hung in ash trees within a 100-mile radius from previously documented EAB locations in Ontario, Canada. During June, 2,423 traps were placed in Western New York areas including Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Erie, Wyoming, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Monroe counties. DEC is participating in the survey with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. 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. Since its discovery in southeastern Michigan in 2002, the EAB is responsible for the destruction of over 50 million ash trees in the U.S. The beetle has been moving steadily eastward and has been found in Pennsylvania and Toronto, Canada.
"The EAB represents a significant threat to New York State's ash trees," said DEC Regional Forester Wayne Cooper. "While the EAB has not yet been positively documented within New York State, it has been recently found within 50 miles of Western New York."
The bright purple, prism-shaped EAB traps are made of sticky-coated corrugated plastic and contain scented lures. After 30 days, the traps will be inspected and samples collected. After 60 days, the traps will be collected and removed from the trees. Should you encounter an EAB trap hanging in an ash tree while you are visiting a park or state forest, please help the survey effort by leaving it in place.
The EAB has metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen; it is small enough to fit easily on a penny. 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, and browning of leaves. Infested trees may also exhibit woodpecker damage from larvae extraction. Once a tree is infested by the EAB, there is no curative method to save it.
While we cannot eliminate our susceptibility to the EAB, steps that we can take to slow its advancement include:
- Adhering to firewood regulations and refraining from moving firewood more than 50 miles from its source. (Buying firewood where you plan to use it);
- Checking ash trees for any signs of EAB damage; and
- Reporting suspected EAB damage to DEC at (716) 851-7010.
For more information, please visit the following web pages on DEC's website:
Firewood and Invasive Insect
Emerald Ash Borer
Use the offsite links in the right column on this page for further information on EAB.
