Made by Oliver for Entimology Pest insect control assignment

What are Emerald Ash Borer's?

Emerald Ash Borers(abbr. EAB) are a type of Buprestid(Buprestidae), also known as Jewel Beetle, native to Asia. They are identifyable by their small size, bullet shaped body, and metallic green color.

A picture of a emerald ash borer from the top down, on a white background. It has a length of 1/2 inch and it has text next to it that reads,

Natural Habitat

EAB. 's natural habitat is in Northestern Asia, ranging from Russia, Mongolia, northern China, Japan, and Korea. In the US the EAB has spread throughout the whole left side, from eastern montana to northern florida and up to maine. Its also located in the forests of the west coast as well.

a map of the emerald ash borers natural habitat in asia. it spans from a small portion in russia to shandong china. Its also on all of mainland japan. a map of the emerald ash borers invasive reach in the united states, it spans all across the right half of america as well as the west coast.

Life Cycle

The damage to trees are caused by their life cycle. The parent lays eggs on the bark of the ash tree, the larvae hatch and burrow into the tree, the adults chew at the bark in a D shape, then the adult seeks out a new ash tree for its young. The tree is obviously hurt by this process and will die after a couple years.

Parent lays eggs on tree --> Larvae hatch and burrow into tree --> adult chews through bark --> adult seeks new tree to continue the cycle

A picture depicting the emerald ash borers life cycle. 1, female ash borers lay 40 to 70 eggs on the bark of an ash tree. 2, after hatching, the larvae, bore into the tree layers just below the bark to feed, they remain there for 1 or 2 years, then pupate into adults. 3, the adults then chew a telltale D-shaped exit hole in the bark. 4, adults, which can fly, then seek out new trees, then the process begins again.

How are they controlled Chemically?

Imidacloprid, dinotefuran, emamectin benzoate, and azadirachtin are the main chemicals used to control EAB. Imidacloprid is the most affordable and common one, It can be bought in grocery stores and is poured on the roots of the tree.

a picture of green chemicals(Imidacloprid) being poured onto the roots of a tree

How are they controlled Biologically?

Woodpeckers and Parasitoids are the main ways in which we are dealing with EAB. Spathius agrili, Tetrastichus planipennisi, Oobius agrili, and Spathius galinae have all been released into the us in order to fight off the EAB.

a red bellied woodpecker, despite its name, its belly is white while the back of its head and neck are red.
credits/rubric | wild rice