Guest Columnist
Of the 100,000+ insects in our country, less than 1% are harmful, but a really harmful one is the emerald ash borer (Agrilus plenipennis). This small, metallic, green insect (3/8" - 1/2") has already killed at least 25 million ash trees in some 30 states. It's known to be in both Oklahoma and Texas. In all probability, within eight years, 50% of our ash trees will be dead, with the other 50% to follow with 3-5 years.
The emerald ash borer is native to Asia, where pests help keep it in check, but no such controls are native to our country. Insecticides and a parasitic wasp can control it, but there's no cure. It most likely came to the United States in a shipment of some wood product either by ship or plane. It was first found near Detroit back in 2002, although it was probably there for several years before being identified.
Adult beetles cause little damage, because they feed on leaves, but they lay eggs in tree bark or in bark crevices. Their offspring feed just inside the bark of all 16 species of ash trees, eating their way through the cambium layer. Though they eat in a pattern somewhat resembling the Red River, they eat through the entire circumference of the cambium layer, thus preventing the tree from passing nutrients up or sending sugars down. The result is death for the tree. Outside of woodpeckers pounding on ash trees, there is no advance warning of infestation.
There are some seven billion ash trees in the United States. Without controls, most if not all of them could be gone in 50 years, making Dutch elm disease pale in comparison. Some would cut the dead/dying trees for firewood. Don't, as transporting the wood will simply spread the pest problem.
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