Emerald Ash Borer

Scientific Name: Agrilus planipennis
Scientific Type: Tip Moths/Twig Borers & Beetles

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a metallic green beetle that is native to Asia and was introduced to North America in the 1990s. It is a major pest of ash trees (Fraxinus species) and has caused significant damage to ash trees in the United States and Canada.

The adult beetles are about 7-14 mm in length and are metallic green in color. They have a distinctive "D"-shaped exit hole in the bark of infested trees. The larvae are cream-colored and are found under the bark of the tree, where they feed on the tissues that transport water and nutrients.

Emerald Ash Borers can cause significant damage to ash trees, as the larvae feed on the tissues under the bark, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Infested trees may show signs of thinning or yellowing foliage, dying branches, and D-shaped exit holes in the bark. Severe infestations can kill the tree.

Control measures for Emerald Ash Borers include the use of pesticides, the removal and destruction of infested trees, and the quarantine of infected areas to prevent the spread of the pest. It is important to properly identify the pest before attempting to control it, as other insects and diseases can cause similar symptoms in ash trees.