December 31, 2019

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works with State, Federal, and other partners to detect and manage known emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations. The EAB program uses biological control and ongoing research to minimize the impact from an infestation and maintain ash as a viable part of the American landscape. This report provides the most current information on EAB program efforts.

Announcements

Proposed Rule

In September 2018, APHIS published a proposal to remove the domestic quarantine regulations for emerald ash borer requesting comments from the public on the proposal. When the final rule is ready, it will be published in the Federal Register.

New Video

Watch the new 5 minute video featuring recommendations on how to debark ash tree logs to look for EAB larvae or other signs of infestation.

EAB in the United States

EAB is in 35 states and the District of Columbia: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Biological Control

USDA is using natural enemies of the emerald ash borer to serve as biocontrol agents—the tiny stingless wasps are showing promise in a number of states, especially in terms of protecting young saplings.

During the 2019 season, wasps were released in 3 new states (ME, NE, & RI) and 74 new counties. In total, biological control agents have been released in 309 counties and in 29 states and the District of Columbia.

Trapping

The EAB program discontinued the contracted survey for 2019, but APHIS provided traps and lures to states to conduct their own survey; almost 4,000 purple prism and green funnel traps and more than 5,000 hexenol lures were provided. For 2020, traps, lures, and accessories can be requested through your State Plant Regulatory Official or ordered through the APHIS Integrated Plant Health Information System (IPHIS). If you are an APHIS cooperator, please submit your survey data weekly into IPHIS. 

Latest Maps

Federal Quarantine Map as of December 2, 2019

Ash Range Map with Federal Quarantine as of December 2, 2019

New County Detection Map as of December 2, 2019

Initial County EAB Detection Map as of December 2, 2019

Additional Resources

Informational Websites

APHIS EAB Program

EAB Website (Michigan State University)

Outreach Materials

Pest Alert

Brochure

Identification Card

Contacts

Acting EAB National Policy Manager (through 1/17/20)

Kathryn Bronsky, 301-851-2147

Kathryn.E.Bronsky@usda.gov

EAB National Policy Manager (beginning 1/18/20)

Herb Bolton, 301-851-3594

Herbert.Bolton@usda.gov

EAB National Operations Manager

Russ Bulluck, 919-855-7182

Russ.Bulluck@usda.gov

If you think you’ve found EAB or signs of infestation, record the area where the specimen was found and take digital pictures of the insect and tree damage. Submit your report to your State Plant Health Director or emailReport.EAB@usda.gov or call the EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512. Thank you.