Country: United States

Title: Entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania added to the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) quarantined area

Contact:
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Paul Chaloux, EAB National Program Manager, (301) 734-0917</p>

Report:

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the list of quarantine areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis.  Prior to this action, APHIS established quarantine areas in 43 Pennsylvania counties and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture established and enforced an equivalent State-level quarantine.  However, on April 15, 2011, Pennsylvania rescinded its EAB quarantine.  For this reason, APHIS is establishing the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a quarantine area in order to prevent the spread of EAB to other states.

 

The interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from the State is regulated, including firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species.  

 

EAB is present in some portions of the United States.  Currently, Brown, Crawford, Fond du Lac, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Vernon, Washington, and Waukesha Counties in Wisconsin are established EAB-quarantine areas, together with the entire States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  In addition, portions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the entirety of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula; Allamakee County in Iowa; 22 counties in Kentucky; Charles and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland; Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudon, and Prince William Counties, along with the independent Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park and Winchester in Virginia; 18 counties in New York; Hennepin, Houston and Ramsey Counties in Minnesota; Knox and Loudon Counties in Tennessee; and Wayne County in Missouri are considered EAB quarantine areas.

 

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 quarantined 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 pest and of the potential threats associated with long distance movement of firewood. 

 

Under IPPC Standards, 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: May 16, 2011, 9 a.m.