Emerald Ash Borer emerging at Louisiana border, expected soon in Arkansas
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
April 9, 2016
Fast Facts:
- Invasive species confirmed in 10 Arkansas counties
- Current ban on firewood transport in 25 counties
(485 words)
LITTLE ROCK — Forestry experts this week detected the emergence of adult emerald ash borer beetles, an invasive pest first detected in Arkansas in July 2014, near the Arkansas-Louisiana border.
Chandler Barton, a forest health specialist with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, said he and other AFC experts were conducting field training for members of the Texas Forest Service in a field about halfway between Magnolia, Ark. and Shongaloo, La. Funnel traps established in the area had captured a number of the newly-emerged adult beetles over the past week, he said.
Tamara Walkingstick, associate director of the Arkansas Forest Resource Center and associate professor of Forestry for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the adult beetles will likely begin emerging in southern Arkansas immediately, and in central Arkansas in about one to two weeks.
“This is about the right time for their emergence, based on the amount of sunlight we’re getting now,” Walkingstick said. “For homeowners who were planning on treating their trees, hoping to kill the larvae, it may be too late for that.”
There are several visible signs homeowners should look for if they suspect they might have an infestation on their property: Signs of infestation include:
- Multiple jagged holes excavated by woodpeckers feeding on ash borer larvae
- Distinctive D-shaped exit holes left by emerging adult beetles
- Canopy dieback from top of the tree
- Sprouts arising from the base of the tree
- Larval tunnels or galleries immediately under the bark of dying ash trees
The beetle has been confirmed in 10 counties in the state, including Saline, Hot Spring, Clark, Dallas, Ouachita, Columbia, Union, Calhoun, Nevada and Bradley counties. In September 2014, the Arkansas State Plant Board instituted a 25-county quarantine that banned the transportation of hardwood firewood, ash logs and ash nursery stock outside of the quarantine area. However, the quarantine allows for the transportation of ash logs to pre-approved facilities prior to what is known as the adult flight period, when the insect emerges and begins to fly. Peak emergence is projected to occur around May 3.
Over the past year and a half, researchers with the Plant Board and other agencies have released several varieties of parasitoid wasps, in an effort to control the emerald ash borer population. Two of the wasps are “larval parasitoids,” meaning the wasp lays its eggs onto the emerald ash borer larvae; once the wasp eggs hatch, the immature wasps eat the beetle larvae. Another of the wasp species directly attacks the eggs of the emerald ash borer.
Walkingstick said property owners who suspect they may have an infestation can use “soil drench” products such as Bayer Advance, or other pesticides that can be sprayed directly on the bark of trees. A full guide to invasive species and appropriate control measures can be found at http://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/ar-invasives/default.aspx.
For more information about the emerald ash borer, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent, or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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