Country: United States

Title: Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) – Quarantine area expanded to include the District of Columbia and additional counties in Maryland and Tennessee

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

Report: Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding the District of Columbia, Baltimore City, and Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Saint Mary’s, and Washington Counties, Maryland to the list of quarantine areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis. APHIS is taking this action in response to the confirmation of EAB in Allegany, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties in June 2011.

The EAB detection in Howard County was made by an arborist who participated in the University of Maryland Extension Invasive Species Training program. The detections in Allegany and Anne Arundel Counties were the result of 2011 survey activities for EAB. APHIS is adding the District of Columbia, Baltimore City, and the additional nine counties to the quarantine area because of their proximity to EAB infestations and known movement patterns of regulated articles.

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is also adding Blount and Grainger Counties, Tennessee to the list of quarantine areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB). APHIS is taking this action in response to the confirmation of EAB in Blount and Grainger Counties in June 2011.

The Federal Orders outline specific conditions for the interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from these areas in order to prevent the spread of EAB to other states. Specifically, the interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from these areas is regulated, including firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species.

APHIS regulates the following areas due to the presence of EAB: 12 Counties in Wisconsin; the entire States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; portions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and all 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, and 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.

EAB, an invasive wood boring beetle, is native to China and eastern Asia. Since its first U.S. detection in Michigan, EAB has been responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of U.S. ash trees. The interstate movement of firewood from quarantine areas is an especially high-risk pathway for spreading EAB. APHIS works with State cooperators and foresters to raise public awareness about this pest and 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: Aug. 15, 2011, 9 a.m.