i5K: Emerald ash borer

Emerald ash borer

Emeral ash borer

Emerald ash borer

Image source: Kristen Kuhn

Contact: Jian Duan and Kristen Kuhn

Researchers involved:
Size (or size of nearest relative):

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The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is a relatively new invasive pest that has killed millions of North American ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees in both managed and natural forests of northeastern and Midwestern states since its discovery in 2002.

EAB has invaded 15 states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) and two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec).

Economic cost of potential EAB damage to ash trees has been recently estimated to reach more than $10 billion with possible expansion of infestation to 25 States in the next 10 years.