Description for poster - Stop the spread of the emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a highly destructive insect that targets ash trees. Native to eastern Asia, it was first discovered in Canada and the United States (US) in 2002. Since then, it has killed millions of ash trees in eastern Canada and the US, posing a significant economic and environmental threat to both urban and forested areas. This pest kills all species of ash (except for mountain ash Sorbus spp., which is not a true ash). Emerald ash borer has been detected in 36 US states and six Canadian provinces.
How does it spread?
While emerald ash borer can fly up to 10 kilometres, another significant factor contributing to its spread is the movement of firewood, nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber, wood with bark attached and wood or bark chips.
Signs and symptoms of infestation
- Thinning crown (diminished density of branches and leaves)
- Epicormic shoots (for example, water sprouts) growing from the trunk or branches
- Small D-shaped emergence holes
- S-shaped tunnels under the bark filled with fine sawdust
- Feeding damage on leaves caused by the beetle
- Vertical cracks in the trunk
Contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency if you see suspicious signs or symptoms of emerald ash borer on your ash.
Help protect Canada's trees and forests. It's up to all of us to prevent the spread of invasive species.