Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire is an invasive, wood boring beetle native to Asia that feeds on and eventually kills all species of Ash. The EAB was first found in North America in 2002 near Detroit and since has spread to 13 states and two Canadian provinces, killing hundreds of millions of Ash trees in rural and urban settings. EAB has been found in a number of New York State counties, and a quarantine zone is in effect to prevent its further spread.  

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Resources

The following websites and publications provide regularly updated information on the EAB, its identification, spread and management.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This website details the history of EAB in NY State; general information on identifying and reporting the EAB; maps of infestation and quarantine areas; information for rural forest owners, homeowners and the wood products industry; links for user groups and educators; an EAB cost calculator; and links to additional resources.

emeraldashborer.info is another comprehensive website offered by The Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer Program, a collaboration of the USDA Forest Service, Michigan State University, Purdue University and Ohio State University to provide comprehensive, accurate and timely information on the emerald ash borer. The site includes: EAB University (a collection of free educational webinars about the Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive pests); information for homeowners; Frequently Asked Questions; EAB look-alikes; how to go about hiring an arborist or tree company; choosing replacement trees, and more.

The NY Invasive Species Clearing House at Cornell University offers extensive pages on topics including: EAB biology; identification; hosts; signs and symptoms of EAB infestation; map of EAB spread; control options; resources specific to educators, homeowners, woodlot owners and municipal tree managers; local task force contacts; and how to report an EAB sighting.

Signs and Symptoms of the Emerald Ash Borer, Michigan State University Extension & Dept. of Entomology. A 2-page handout with color photos of adult and larval EAB, Ash canopy die-back, and other signs of EAB infestation. 

Emerald Ash Borer Field Guide, US Forest Service. Print out these 18 pages of photos to help you identify EAB, infestations, Ash trees, and more.

Management

EAB / Control Options, The New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse, Cornell Cooperative Extension Invasive Species Program. This page on the NYISC website covers pesticides licensed for use in New York State.

Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer, North Central IPM Center (a collaboration of The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). This 16-page booklet covers insecticide options for treating EAB infestation and their effectiveness.

Last updated July 31, 2024