Emerald Ash Borer on Chippewa National Forest

An Emerald Ash Borer rests on the bark of a tree

Photo credit: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Cass County for the first time, in a cluster of ash trees near Remer. There are now 45 counties in the state, including Cass, with EAB.

Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Cass County, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine for an eastern portion of the county, which limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the area. The south and east side of the quarantine is the county border. The northern edge of the quarantine follows Minnesota Highway 200 west to County Road 129, County Road 129 south to County Road 7, and County Road 7 west to Minnesota Highway 84. The western border of the quarantine is Minnesota Highway 84 to County Road 79 and east to the county line (SEE MAP).  

No regulated articles are legally allowed to move outside of the EAB quarantine area. Regulated items include:

  • Ash logs
  • Ash tree waste
  • Ash chips and mulch
  • All firewood (non-coniferous)
  • Find out more about EAB Christmas Tree permits

EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Often, the trees show several signs of infestation because of this. Woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae, and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of emerald ash borer. Also, EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.

The MDA issues quarantines for all areas known to have EAB to reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.

MORE About EAB:

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. This is what kills the tree. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. The EAB on its own only moves short distances each year, however through the transport of firewood EAB is spread much more rapidly. As of October 2018, it is now found in 35 states, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba.

Reporting EAB:

If you think you have emerald ash borer on your property, or think you may have spotted it somewhere else, here is what you should. Download the emerald ash borer identification guide (www.emeraldashborer.info/documents/eab_id_guide.pdf) to verify if the insect looks like the one you saw, or if there are signs and symptoms of emerald ash borer around you.

If it looks like emerald ash borer or emerald ash borer damage, call either your county Extension office (found under the county government heading in your telephone book), or a contact for your state found here: www.emeraldashborer.info/if-you-find-eab
 

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