New Jersey Department of Agriculture today confirmed that the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees, has been found in Somerset County by a landscaper investigating unhealthy trees in a Bridgewater retail area last week. Inspectors sent insect larvae samples to the USDA where the specimens were confirmed.
For the past four years the Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection (NJDA and DEP) have participated in an Emerald ash borer survey but no beetles were found in more than 300 traps set up around the state. Emerald ash borer had already been detected in Pennsylvania and New York bordering New Jersey. “We will be informing homeowners about the actions they can take to protect their ash trees from this tree-killing insect,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.
EAB is now present in 23 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. It was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and has since killed tens of millions of trees. “Since the emerald ash borer has been active just over our borders for quite a number of years, we expected that it would be found in New Jersey eventually,” said State Forester Lynn E. Fleming. “The DEP will work with the Department of Agriculture and other appropriate agencies to educate landowners on how to identify this invasive beetle and mitigate infestations.”
The state will now survey trees in the area surrounding the initial find to determine the extent of the EAB infestation. It is expected that a federal quarantine will be expanded to include New Jersey.
Steps you can take:
- Report signs of the beetle to the Department of Agriculture at 609-406-6939. The adult EAB is a metallic green insect about one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide making it hard to detect in the wild. The female beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees. The eggs hatch and the larvae bore into the bark to the fluid-conducting vessels. The larvae feed and develop, cutting off the flow of nutrients and, eventually killing the tree. EAB attacks and kills North American true ash, and tree death occurs three to five years following initial infestation. EAB is native to Asia.
- Homeowners can protect ash trees they own. Treatment products are available at retail and licensed pesticide applicators can treat for EAB. Signs of EAB include: canopy dieback beginning at the top of the tree and progressing through the year until the tree is bare; sprouts growing from the roots and trunk; split bark with an S-shape gallery; D-shaped exit holes; and more woodpecker activity, creating large holes as they extract the larvae.
- To prevent spread of the beetle, do not move firewood. Firewood is a vehicle for movement of tree-killing forest pests including EAB and Asian longhorned beetle. Use locally-sourced firewood when burning it at home. When traveling, burn firewood where you buy it. Make sure to burn all wood purchased.
