What are Emerald Ash Borers?
Emerald ash borers, or EABs, are invasive insects practically running amok in our state. These tiny, bright green beetles are native to Asia, and are believed to have made its way to the States via solid wood packing material used in cargo shipments. They were originally found in southern Michigan in 2002. By April 2004, EABs were in Indiana and since then has spread to 18 central and northern counties. Though only one sixteenth inch wide and one third inch long, emerald ash borers can cause some major damage to their food of choice – ash trees. Their life cycle begins around Mid-May to Mid-August, when adults lay eggs in ash bark and where the eggs will eventually hatch. The inch-long, cream-colored and segmented larvae will then tunnel its way into the tree. Between August and October, the larvae will feed under the bark creating S-shaped grooves along the way. The immature EABs will then overwinter under the bark until May-June when the now-adults emerge, leaving D-shaped exit holes
