The Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in 21 Iowa counties, creating increasing concerns for tree owners around the state.
The Emerald Ash Borer is a small, green invasive wood boring beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. The adults live on the outside of ash trees and feed on the leaves during the summer months. The larvae look similar to white grubs and feed on the living plant tissue underneath the bark of ash trees. The trees are killed by the tunneling activity of the larvae.
The metallic green beetle is native to East Asia and was imported to the United States within the wood of shipping crates from China. Research has shown that the beetle can only fly a few miles, which helps slow its natural spread. However, it is easily transported to new areas when people inadvertently move larvae inside of infested firewood, ash nursery stock and other ash items.
To answer common questions by ash tree owners, the Iowa Department of Nature Resources has created a brief resource guide with treatment advice, management options and links to Iowa arborists and tree services. Find the guide online at www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/Forestry/ForestHealth/EmeraldAshBorer.aspx.