Country: United States

Title: New detection of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (Agilus planipennis) in Maryland –United States

Contact:
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Report: On August 22, 2006, two larvae recovered from ash trees located in the Clinton/Brandywine area of southern Prince George’s County, Maryland, and submitted to USDA-APHIS were confirmed as EAB (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire).

The EAB was first detected in Maryland in 2003, when a Michigan nurseryman shipped infested trees into a Prince George’s County nursery. Since 2003, eradication efforts and surveillance activities have been in place. This is the first detection since the initial 2003 detection.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture issued a Quarantine Order that prohibits anyone from moving prohibited articles, including ash trees or any hardwood firewood, out of Prince Georges’s County until further notice. Additionally, county area south of I-495 and Pennsylvania Avenue is considered to be the infested area and movement of regulated articles from infested to un-infested areas of the county is prohibited.

Over the next several months, USDA-APHIS and Maryland officials will thoroughly investigate the area for the presence of the pest using several survey methods, including destructive sampling. All infested trees will be removed. Based on the results of surveys, the program will determine whether additional trees will be removed to prevent further pest spread.

For more information about current EAB regulations and the response program please visit: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ep/eab/index.html  
 

Posted Date: Sept. 28, 2006, 9 a.m.