Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
EAB are smaller than a penny.
(Howard Russell, MI State U.
www.forestryimages.org)
Notice the coppery red color of
the EAB's upper abdomen.
The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive beetle from Asia that infests and kills North American ash species (Fraxinus sp.) including green, white, black and blue ash. All of New York's native ash trees are susceptible to EAB.
EAB Identification
The emerald ash borer is a very small but very destructive beetle. It has four life stages: adult, egg, larva and pupa. The adult beetle has a shiny emerald green body with a coppery red or purple abdomen. 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. The adults may be seen from late May through early September but are most common in June and July.
Signs of Damage
Signs of infestation in the tree canopy include dieback, yellowing, and browning of leaves.
S-shaped larval galleries may be
visible as an infested tree's bark
falls off or is removed.
EAB larva
Photo: David Cappaert
Increased woodpecker activity is often the first sign of an EAB infestation. This activity can lead to "blonding", or large strips of bark falling off. On the trunk and branches, look for small, D-shaped holes that are left by emerging beetles. When the tree's bark splits or falls off, S-shaped larval galleries may be visible.
Most trees die within 2 to 4 years of becoming infested.
How EAB Spread
Adult EABs typically fly less than ½ mile from their emergence tree. Most long-distance movement of EAB has been directly traced to ash firewood or ash nursery stock. Other untreated ash wood, wood chips greater than one inch, and ash product movement (logs, lumber, pallets, etc.) generally present lesser risks. Wood chips less than one inch or mulch are considered to pose little risk of movement. New York State currently has a regulation restricting the movement of firewood to protect our forests from invasive pests.
Confirmed New York State Locations
The first infestation of emerald ash borer (EAB) in New York State was discovered in Cattaraugus County in 2009. As of the summer of 2022, the presence of EAB has been confirmed in all New York counties except: Essex, Hamilton, and Lewis.
DEC works with partners such as NYC Parks and Cornell Cooperative Extension to detect and confirm new infestations across the state.
Current Efforts
While DEC is still collecting new EAB location information, we are not actively managing infestations.
New York has a regulation to restrict the movement of firewood of any tree species to within 50 miles of its source or origin. If you must move ash wood that is not firewood, be sure to follow DEC's guidelines on moving ash wood responsibly. The firewood regulation remains unchanged and in effect despite the changing or lifting of any EAB quarantines.
EAB is listed as a prohibited invasive species by 6 NYCRR Part 575. Under this regulation, no person shall sell, import, purchase, transport, introduce or propagate, or have the intent to take any of these actions on the regulated species, unless issued a permit by DEC for research, education, or other approved activity.
DEC is also cooperating in efforts to identify potentially resistant "lingering ash" trees (leaves DEC website) in areas thoroughly infested with EAB, and to conserve ash seed (leaves DEC website) for future restoration efforts.
What to Do if You Have Found EAB
A D-shaped exit hole from an EAB.
Visit our webpage on EAB Recommendations and Resources for information on ash tree identification, insecticide options, and other resources for landowners, municipalities, and the wood products industry.
If you confirm your tree is infested with EAB, you do not have to take it down unless the tree could pose a hazard by falling (check for nearby structures, roads, etc.). DEC can confirm if the signs of tree damage are from EAB and provide tree removal information, but unfortunately there are no DEC programs to assist landowners with tree removal. If you choose to have a tree removed, we suggest visiting our tips for selecting an arborist or tree service for guidance.
How to Report a New Infestation Location
After reviewing the identification material on this website, if you think you have found EAB and are outside of the counties known to already have infestation areas in New York State:
- Take photos of the insect and/or signs of damage.
- Email photos and location information to us at foresthealth@dec.ny.gov.
DEC staff will analyze the photos and may reach out for more information to determine if it is EAB. Photos and confirmation from DEC are required for a new location to be added to the infestation map. You may also call DEC's Forest Health information line at 1-866-640-0652.
Importance of Ash
Ash is a very common street tree in many New York communities. It was widely planted to replace native elms lost to Dutch elm disease. In Michigan, the first state in the U.S. infested with EAB, the greatest economic impact has been on communities faced with removal of thousands of dead ash on streets and in yards. Many of these dead trees pose significant public safety hazards and liability problems for municipalities.
Ash is also a common and valuable forest species. Ash seeds are a food source for birds and mammals. Ash species (white, green and black) comprise almost 8% of all trees in NY State. Ash is a commercially-valuable species, and is used for baseball bats, flooring, furniture, lumber, and pallet manufacture. Black ash is also prized by Native American tribes, including the Akwesasne, for traditional basket making. The estimated annual contribution of forest-based manufacturing and forest related recreation and tourism to the New York State economy is over $9 billion.
Insects That Look Similar to EAB
The insects below are often mistaken for emerald ash borer beetle.
Bronze birch borer
(Agrilus anxius)
Japanese beetle
(Popillia japonica)
Six-spotted tiger beetle
(Cicendela sexguttata)
Metalic wood borer
(Dicerca divaricate)
Metalic wood borer
(Buprestis striata)
Two-lined chestnut borer
(Agrilus bilineatus)
Additional Resources
- Don't Move Firewood - help protect our forests from invasive insects and diseases
- Multi-state website devoted to EAB information (leaves DEC website)
- EAB Cost Calculator (leaves DEC website) - Purdue University
- USDA APHIS EAB webpage (leaves DEC website) - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- US Forest Service Northeast Research Station (leaves DEC website) - EAB Research
- Time Magazine (leaves DEC website) - DEC Forestry staff in Region 3 working on the Department's Slow Ash Mortality (SLAM) program to slow the spread of the destructive emerald ash borer
- USDA Animated Video (leaves DEC website) - great for elementary aged children
- Watch a clip about emerald ash borer and check out other clips on DEC's YouTube Channel (leaves DEC website)
More about Emerald Ash Borer (EAB):
- Emerald Ash Borer Recommendations and Resources - Recommendations and resources for ash trees infested with the emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis)
