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Emerald Ash Borer
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a green beetle native to Asia and Eastern Russia. Outside its native region, the emerald ash borer (also referred to as EAB) is an invasive species and is highly destructive to ash trees in its introduced range. The emerald ash borer was first discovered in America in June 2002 in Michigan. It was accidentally brought to the US in ash wood used in shipping materials.
The emerald ash borer, ''Agrilus planipennis'', is a green beetle native to Asia.
Similar species: Beetles
By Mark R Smith
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Uploaded Apr 22, 2015.
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An ecological catastrophe is spreading across North America. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), or EAB, is an invasive, wood-boring beetle that feeds on and kills ash (Fraxinus sp.) trees. This unassuming, pretty beetle has become known as the most destructive invasive forest pest to ever invade North America.
It was first discovered in Michigan in 2002, and has since spread to at least 35 states in addition to several Canadian territories. Since its discovery, the EAB has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America. For example, scientists estimate that 99% of ash trees in Michigan have died since the beetle's discovery there, which equals about 60 million trees. There are approximately seven billion ash trees in North America, and within the next few decades, it's estimated that the EAB could wipe out most of them.
There are many species of wood-boring beetles, most of which are harmless, or even beneficial. The EAB is different because it is not a native species. It doesn't have any natural predators and the ash trees have no natural defenses against them. Here's how the damage occurs...Adult beetles lay eggs on ash trees. Larvae hatch out of the eggs and feed on phloem tissue, which is under the tree's bark. As the larvae feed, they create winding trails. These trails coalesce and cut off the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, which results in death for the tree.
The disappearance of ash trees across an entire continent has consequences. The trees will no longer be there to fulfill their ecological niche. The massive die-off will create a safety hazard from having snags littering landscapes. It will cause an increase in runoff and erosion. Pesticides will be applied in larger quantities in an attempt to control the beetles. Plus, there will be a huge cost just to cut down and dispose of the dead trees.
Global warming enables the EAB to colonize new areas, where even an especially cold winter will not be enough to stop their spread. Events like polar vortexes may kill many beetles, but it will not kill them all. In fact, extreme, cold weather events may actually help create "super beetles" that will be less vulnerable to cold weather in the future. The solutions to the EAB invasion are not simple and will not come cheaply. This beetle has surely become a serious menace. As the insect’s range continues to spread, despite efforts to combat it, we must seriously start to wonder if we will have to kiss our beloved ash trees goodbye. {Spotted in the USA by JungleDragon user, Mark R. Smith} #JungleDragon
Posted 6 years ago