Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Quick Facts
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a wood-boring insect that was introduced into North America from China and eastern Asia. It has not been found in Manitoba yet. The beetle is currently in southwestern Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and Indiana.
EAB attacks and kills healthy and stressed ash trees. All ash species are susceptible in varying degrees. Trees as small as 1-inch in diameter are attacked.
The insect kills the trees in its larval stage. The larvae bore under the bark and feed on the underlying tissues. The tunnels created by the larvae girdle the tree cutting off the flow of water and nutrients.
Symptoms of EAB presence are similar to those caused by other stresses such as drought or disease and include:
- Tree decline,
- Crown thinning,
- Suckers or water sprouts,
- Vertical cracks in the bark (from the larval tunneling)
. 
EAB attack is best identified by the presence of the beetle, larvae, larval tunnels and “D-shaped” adult exit holes in the bark.
EAB is spread mainly by people moving firewood, nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber, wood or bark chips. All of these forms of wood can contain EAB larvae. The beetle can also fly several kilometers. It is believed that the greatest threat of spread into Manitoba will be through firewood from the south or east. Please aid in our EAB prevention efforts by using local firewood obtained near where you intend to burn it, and using it up onsite. If you are planting ash trees on your property, ensure that the nursery stock is locally grown or from the west.
More detailed information on EAB is available on the following websites:
http://winnipeg.ca/cms/bugline/insect_information/emerald_ash_borer.stm
http://www.emeraldashborer.info http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/eab/
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pestrava/agrpla/agrplae.shtml
Canadian Forest Service (CFS) has also released a publication entitled A Visual Guide to Detecting Emerald Ash Borer Damage. This publication is available at no charge by calling CFS, Great Lakes Forestry Centre at (705) 949-9461. It can also be ordered online at the following website: http://bookstore.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/detail_e.php?recid=12586270. It is available in English or French.
Last update:
20.10.2009
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