EmeraldAshBorer

Emerald Ash Borer
Agrilus planipennis

Native to Asia, Invasive species in the US

Evidence of Infestation

Symptoms of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation can include: the initial thinning or yellowing of the foliage (general or limited to certain branches); epicormic shoots which may or may not be present on declining trees; woodpecker damage from the birds stripping away small patches of bark, so that they can extract the borers; and D-shaped emergence holes (about 3 mm in diameter) which are probably present in multiple year infestations. You may also observe that the beetles feed on ash foliage usually in small irregularly shaped patches along the margins of leaves. The tissue produced by the tree in response to larvae feeding may cause vertical splits to occur in the bark. Injury to the tree from woodpecker activity may also occur particularly in the winter. These photos below illustrate the just a few examples of EAB infestation signs and symptoms.

Tree canopy thinning and die back; yellowing of leaves	D-shaped emergence holes
Suckers developing on the main trunk	S-shaped galleries

Is My Tree an Ash?

The distinctive leaves and bark of the ash tree (Fraxinus spp.) can help to identify it from other tree species. Ash trees have five, seven, or nine leaflets per leaf stem. The leaves are located directly across (or opposite) from each other. The bark is light gray and is rough and scaly on older trees.

Are My Trees Ash?	OSU Extension Fact Sheet
Distinguishing Ash from Other Common Trees (PDF)	Michigan State University Extension

Photos

Adult

Exit Hole

What to know about EAB:

	•	It attacks only ash trees (Fraxinus spp.).
	•	Adult Beetles are metallic green and about ½-inch long.
	•	Adults leave a D-shaped exit hole in the bark when they emerge in spring.
	•	Woodpeckers like EAB larvae; heavy woodpecker damage on ash trees may be a sign of infestation.
	•	Firewood cannot be moved in many areas of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana because of the EAB quarantine.

If you suspect you may have EAB in your ash trees, call these numbers:

	•	Michigan - 1-866-325-0023.
	•	Indiana - 1-866-NO-EXOTIC.
	•	Ohio - 1-888-OHIO-EAB.
	•	Wisconsin - 1-800-462-2803.
	•	Illinois - contact your county Extension office. The Illinois Department of Agriculture also will offer a toll-free hotline at 800-641-3934 for extension-confirmed infestations.
	•	USDA APHIS 1-866-322-4512.

For more information you can contact Tammy Dobbels at 937-224-9654 or email at dobbels.958@osu.edu

Other Online Resources

OhioLine
http://ohioline.osu.edu/
Are My Trees Ash?
http://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/0055.html
What is the Emerald Ash Borer?
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2052.html
Ash Alert
ashalert.osu

Ohio Department of Agriculture (updated)
Ohio Department of Agriculture

Buckeye Gardening
http://buckeyegardening.com/emeraldashborer.html

Emerald Ash Borer
www.emeralashborer.info

Information provided on this page came from The Michigan State University Extension, The Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Department of Agriculture and EmeraldAshBorer.info.