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Emerald Ash Borer: The Emerald Ash Borer

About the Emerald Ash Borer

Eric R. Day, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis or EAB) is responsible for the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees in 25 states in the Midwest and Northeast. Native to Asia, it likely arrived in the United States hidden in wood packing materials. The first U.S. identification of Emerald Ash Borer was in southeastern Michigan in 2002. There are a variety of treatment options that can serve as a control measure for the EAB, but they are not a cure. Because pesticide regulations differ from State to State, homeowners should contact their State department of agriculture or local extension office for guidance.

from USDA

Initial count EAB detections in North America

Science @ NYBG - Strategy for Conserving Ash Trees in the Northeast: Collection, Analysis, and Outreach

Daniel Atha, Brian Boom, Greg Plunkett, and collaborators


NYBG scientists, working as part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team, are investigating the genetic diversity of ash trees and will make these findings available to the scientific and conservation communities for use in efforts to protect North American ash trees from the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. The project’s goal is to elucidate the relationships of different ash species and to study patterns of susceptibility to EAB, enabling adoption of appropriate conservation strategies. Additionally, citizen scientists will be trained in New York and New England in ash identification and data collection, allowing them to contribute scientifically to the proposed project as well as further ash conservation initiatives. The project will take advantage of the unique opportunity to obtain and employ critical data while considerable areas in this region remain un-invaded by EAB. But time is of the essence, as the EAB’s range is rapidly expanding and it is known to inflict nearly 100% mortality on the ash species commonly occurring in New York and New England.

Additional Images

Mamy additional images of the Emerald Ash Borer can be found on the website http://www.forestryimages.org/.

Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

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Additional Reading

  • EAB Early Detection Brochure (PDF)
  • Pest Alert: Emerald Ash Borer (PDF)
  • Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees (PDF)
  • What is the Emerald Ash Borer? (PDF)

@emeraldashborer: Providing information on Emerald Ash Borer

Tweets by @emeraldashborer

New York State Resources

  • EAB Regulations and Quarantines
    As part of the State's on-going efforts to slow the spread of EAB, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) and NYS DEC have revised their quarantine regulations by creating 14 Restricted Zones more tightly encompassing the current known EAB infestations. These Restricted Zones e replace the larger contiguous quarantine that spanned the state east to west, following the NYS Thruway.
  • EAB FAQs
  • Look For and Report EAB
    Do your part to find Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Save Trees!

    The first step to effectively manage EAB is to identify current infestations. State and federal agencies are extensively monitoring for EAB but early infestations are difficult to detect.

    The help of New York's citizens is vital to detecting the signs and symptoms of EAB and to finding infestations early. This will slow the spread of EAB, prevent tree deaths, and could save communities potentially millions of dollars in tree removal costs.

USDA Resources

  • Emerald Ash Borer Program Manual (PDF)
  • Emerald Ash Borer: A guide to identification and comparison to similar species (PDF)
  • Emerald Ash Borer Information Network (website)
  • Last Updated: Mar 9, 2022 9:04 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.nybg.org/emeraldashborer
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