Emerald Ash BorerHave you ever seen this flying insect with a shimmering green body? It is a member of the beetle family and can grow up to ½ inch long. It gets its name from the fact that it preys on ash trees. As an adult, it is fond of leaves and its larva, which is white, lives in the tree and burrows into it.
The emerald ash borer is native to Asia. It arrived in North America in 2002 and has spread by traveling in the wood of crates, transport pallets or firewood. The consequences of the emerald ash borer on a tree
This invasive insect is extremely difficult to control because on this side of the ocean it has no known predators. It kills an ash tree in five years or less, sometimes in just one year.
Gradual dieback occurs in 4 stages. The first stage is inapparent and lasts 2 to 3 years. Then, yellowing of the leaves and a beginning of thinning of the crown is noticed the following year, at stage 2. One year later, the thinning of the crown is accentuated and shoots or suckers appear. Finally, at the fourth and last stage, another year later, the suckers abound, the bark of the ash trees falls off and the tree dies. |
|