Country: United States

Title: Detection of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) in New York, and additional new counties in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin added to the quarantine area

Contact:
Paul Chaloux, EAB National Program Manager, (301) 734-0917

Report:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the identification of EAB for the first time in New York in Cattaraugus County on June 16, 2009. The detection was the result of USDA Agricultural Research Service personnel familiar with EAB reporting declining ash trees. Due to the close proximity of the infested site in Cattaraugus County, Chautauqua County will also be included in the quarantine area.

 

APHIS confirmed the identification of EAB in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 2009, in Armstrong and Washington Counties on July 6, 2009, and in Indiana County on July 21, 2009. The detection in Westmoreland County was the result of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture personnel using sweep nets to capture and examine insects on and near ash trees exhibiting signs of EAB foliar feeding. The detections in Armstrong and Washington Counties were made using the lure-baited purple panel traps. The detection in Indiana County was the result of adult specimen collected by a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture employee.

 

On August 12, 2009, APHIS also confirmed the identification of EAB in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The detection was made when an adult EAB was collected from a lure-baited purple panel trap.

 

In response to these detections, APHIS is working closely with the States of New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to carry out delimiting surveys around the detection sites. Federal Orders establish these counties as quarantine areas in order to prevent the further spread of EAB. Effective immediately, all interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties in New York; Armstrong, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania; and Kenosha County in Wisconsin must be handled in accordance with the Federal Order. Specifically, the interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from these counties is regulated, including ash nursery stock, firewood of all hardwood species, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species. Due to the establishment of a parallel quarantine area by the affected States, only the counties with EAB will be established as quarantine areas and placed under phytosanitary controls.

 

The following areas are also currently under quarantine: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, and Mifflin, in Pennsylvania are established as quarantine areas for EAB, together with the entire States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Portions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the entirety of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula; twenty counties in Kentucky; Prince George’s and Charles Counties in Maryland; and Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, and Prince William Counties, along with the independent Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park in Virginia; Fayette and Morgan Counties in West Virginia; Wayne County in Missouri; Hennepin, Houston, and Ramsey Counties in Minnesota; and Crawford, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Vernon, and Washington Counties in Wisconsin.   

 

EAB is an invasive wood boring beetle that is native to China and eastern Asia. It was first detected in the United States in southeastern Michigan. Since then, EAB has been responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees in the United States. The interstate movement of firewood from quarantine areas is an especially high risk pathway for spreading EAB. APHIS is working with State cooperators and foresters to raise awareness amongst the public concerning this threat. 

 

Under IPPC Standards, Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is considered to be a pest that is present in some parts of the United States and subject to official control to prevent further spread.

 

Posted Date: Oct. 2, 2009, 9 a.m.