USDA Forest Service

Northeastern Area

State and Private Forestry

NA-PR-05-04

Reprinted May 2015

(generic) 5215

ALERT!

Protect our

Forests and Trees.

Help Stop the Movement

of Exotic Pests.

DO NOT MOVE

FIREWOOD!

Exotic pests like the emerald ash borer 

can be spread when infested firewood is 

transported to new areas.

• Do not bring firewood from 

home.

• Use local sources of firewood. • If you have brought firewood 

from home, DON’T take it 

with you, DON’T leave it–

BURN IT!

REPORT!

If you think you have found

emerald ash borer,

contact one of these offices

in your area:

State Department of Agriculture

State Forestry or

Natural Resource Agency

Cooperative Extension Office

USDA Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service

U.S. Forest Serviceor

Call Toll free:

1-866-322-4512

For more information about

emerald ash borer please visit:

www.emeraldashborer.info

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The emerald ash borer, 

Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, a 

beetle native to Asia, was first 

detected in Michigan in 2002. 

Evidence suggests that the beetle 

was established in Michigan 

for years prior to its discovery. 

Emerald ash borer (EAB) has 

since been detected in many 

states, and also in Ontario and 

Quebec, Canada. In addition 

to spreading by natural means, 

EAB can be transported to new areas in infested 

firewood, timber, and nursery stock. This beetle 

has been responsible for the loss of millions of 

ash trees in North America.

Actual Size

Host:

In North America,

EAB is known to 

infest all species of 

ash

(Fraxinus spp.).

Ash can be 

recognized by 

the presence 

of compound 

leaves which are 

arranged opposite of 

one another on the 

branches.

Biology:

Eggs are laid between layers of bark and in bark 

crevices. Larvae hatch in about one week and 

bore into the tree where they feed on the inner 

bark and phloem, creating “S”-shaped galleries. 

Larvae go through four feeding stages, and 

then excavate a pupal chamber in the 

fall, where they will overwinter as 

prepupae.

Pupation occurs in late spring, and 

adults begin to emerge through

“D”-shaped exit holes in May and early 

June. Adults will remain active until the 

end of summer.

Not EAB:

This commonly encountered beetle, the 

six-spotted green tiger beetle, Cicindela 

sexguttata, is often mistaken for EAB due 

to its similar appearence. It is a predator 

of small insects and is frequently found on 

hiking trails. There are other insects often 

mistaken for EAB.

Symptoms and Signs:

New infestations are difficult to detect, as 

damage to the tree may not be apparent for up 

to three years. Symptoms of an infestation can 

include branch dieback in the upper crown, 

excessive epicormic branching on the tree trunk, 

and vertical bark splits. Woodpecker damage is 

sometimes apparent.

Other Stressors:

Ash may also be stressed by 

drought, diseases such as ash 

yellows, and by native woodboring insects like the redheaded 

ash borer, Neoclytus acuminatus

(Fabricius) which creates a

round emergence hole.

Larva S-Shaped Galleries

D-Shaped 

Emergence Hole

Dieback

Bark Splits Woodpecker Damage

Redheaded

Photographs: James W. Smith, David Cappaert, www.invasive.org and PA DCNR. Ash Borer

Epicormic Branching