Emerald ash borer survey
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is indigenous to Asia and is known to occur in China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, the Russian Far East and Taiwan. Where it has been found in the United States, it has killed white ash (Fraxinus americana), green ash (F. pennsylvanica), and black ash (F. nigra), as well as several horticultural varieties of ash. The insect kills ash trees by destroying the tree’s water and nutrient conducting vessels. EAB is so aggressive that ash trees may die within two to three years after they become infested with the beetle. Since its discovery near Detroit, Michigan in 2002, more than 15 million ash trees have been killed. This beetle has also been detected in Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland, and Ontario, Canada.
Ash trees are a major component of the landscape in Kentucky, so this pest is of particular concern both because of the prevalence of ash trees in urban and suburban areas and because lumber and wood products are among Kentucky’s top export products. Kentucky could lose billions of dollars in forest products, and quarantines imposed by state and federal agencies could severely affect plant and wood products industries.
In October of 2006, 2-3 ash trees (> 6 inches in diameter) were prepared as trap trees by girdling them at chest height. A band of plastic wrap was placed above and below the girdled area. This plastic wrap was coated with tack-trap. Wounded trees give off volatiles that are attractive to emerald ash borer which will then be trapped on the sticky bands. The girdled trees were located in campground areas of state parks. Sticky bands were inspected every 1-2 weeks from May to September. These trap trees will be used for 2 years then felled and dissected to inspect for larval galleries.
2007
- Number of Trap Trees Set: 6
- Number of Beetles Captured: 0
- Number of Positive Counties: 0
- Positive Counties: Boone, Bracken, Carroll, Clark, Nelson, Pulaski
