Ash tree-killing insect discovered in Blount
From Staff Reports
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has discovered the Emerald Ash Borer in Blount County.
The find was made last week and has been confirmed by USDA, according to a Department of Agriculture news release Wednesday.
“We will continue surveying the region to determine the extent of the infestation,” said Gray Haun, TDA plant certification administrator. “We will be working closely with federal officials and other stakeholders to take steps to limit its spread and protect our forest resources and urban landscapes.”
EAB attacks only ash trees. It is believed to have been introduced into the Detroit, Mich. area 15 to 20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia. Since then, the destructive insect has been found also in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
In response to the find, TDA is adding Blount County to the Emerald Ash Borer quarantine. Knox and Loudon counties were put under EAB quarantine in August 2010. The quarantine prohibits the movement of firewood, ash nursery stock, ash timber and other material that can spread EAB.
With the new discovery, citizens can expect expanded surveys and should report any symptomatic trees to TDA.
“People located in surrounding areas to the quarantine can expect next year to see more purple traps as these are an important part of the surveying process,” said Haun. “The traps are coated with an adhesive that captures insects when they land. The color is thought to be attractive to EAB, and is relatively easy for humans to spot among the foliage.”
Typically, the Emerald Ash Borer beetles can kill an ash tree within three years of the initial infestation. Adults are dark green, one-half inch in length and one-eighth inch wide, and fly only from April until September, depending on the climate of the area.
You must be logged in to Facebook to comment. If you're not logged in to Facebook, a login window will open when you click "comment". Or you can log in now. You may need to refresh your page after logging in via that link.
The Daily Times on the web!