EMERALD ASH BORER BEETLE

Emerald ash borer beetle originally from Asia and Eastern Russia has traveled across continents through wood packaging and other shipments and became one of the most invasive and destructive pest to ash trees.  About 8.5 mm long and 1.6mm wide the adult beetle is metallic green.

Females lay more than 100 eggs in its lifetime on the bark and the trunk and branches of the invaded tree.  In the larval stage it bore holes making feeding spaces disrupting the flow of nutrients. Finally the tree dies in some years.

Approximately 150-200 million ash trees in United States have already died due to emerald ash borer infestation since its introduction to America first noticed in 2002. Its estimated this beetle has spread in 22 states in U.S.A as well as Canada

Latest findings warn that Emerald ash borer is going to spread in hindered across Europe.

Effective heat treatment or fumigation of wood packaging (crates, pallets etc.) by export countries can avoid or reduce the spread of this beetle. Fumigation of the shipping containers shall be in accordance with IMDG Code and the persons engaged in the handling of fumigated cargo transport units shall be trained commensurate with their responsibilities.  Fumigated containers shall display below warning mark. Refer IMDG Code for full provisions of fumigated containers.

Related articles

• Emerald Ash Borer Update 10/21/2013 (arborscapeservices.com)
• Tree pest begins march from Moscow (bbc.co.uk)
• Destructive emerald ash borer beetle discovered in Boulder County (denverpost.com)