Emerald Ash Borer

What is Emerald Ash Borer?

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a highly invasive, non-native insect that attacks and kills all species of North American ash trees, including white, green and black ash. EAB is native to Asia and was first detected in the U.S. in summer 2002 feeding on ash trees in the Detroit area. As of October 2009, EAB has not been confirmed in the northern Plains (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota).

What does EAB look like?

Adult EABs are emerald green beetles that are approximately 1/2 inch long with slender, elongate bodies. EAB larvae can grow up to 1-1/2 inches long and are white or cream colored. They have a brown head and a 10-segmented body with a pair of brown, pincer-like appendages on the last segment.

What does EAB do?

EAB adults typically emerge during June and July, leaving D-shaped exit holes in the bark. After emerging, the adults feed on ash foliage and can live for approximately three weeks. Females lay eggs in the bark of branches and stems.

EAB larvae feed on the tissues just below the bark. As they feed, larvae create serpentine tunnels (galleries) that disrupt the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree.