Emerald ash borer beetle provides latest threat to N.J. forests

star ledger ^ | Thursday August 20, 2009 | Brian T. Murray

[Coleus]

Now, New Jersey authorities fear the next target is the state's ash trees -- the same northern white ash already threatened in Pennsylvania and New York, where the timber is a coveted source for the "Louisville Slugger" and other major league baseball bats. The culprits are invading bugs. The Asian longhorned beetle that was destroying maples in and around Jersey City for years has been eradicated, for now, said environmental and agricultural officials today. But they took no time to celebrate.

The state departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture jointly urged people to keep a look-out for new infestations of the tree-killing beetle and a potentially more destructive newcomer, the emerald ash borer, which already has destroyed tens of million ash trees and recently landed in the northern white ash forests of Pennsylvania and New York.

"The emerald ash borers are very small. By the time it's noticed, an infestation is pretty widespread. ... They fly very far compared to Asian longhorned beetles. They are known to fly up to 10 miles, where the Asian longhorned goes maybe a mile," said Paul Kurtz, an entomologist with the state Department of Agriculture's Division of Plant Industry.

[Coleus]

 

An adult emerald ash borer is shown in this photo released by Michigan State University. 

An infected emerald ash borer branch from Algonac, Mich., is shown in April 2005.

[cripplecreek]

I’ve lost several trees to the critters.

[Mr. Lucky]

One word: Imidacloprid.

[Nik Naym]

It figures.

Every mature tree on my property is a white ash. I guess I will have a miniature turf farm in a few years.

Oh well.

(Dammit)

[cripplecreek]

I misread the title and thought this was a thread about Barney Frank.

[Mr. Lucky]

Ash borer, OK? Emerald ASH borer

[hinckley buzzard]

Bayer makes a systemic pesticide which is reputedly effective against the ash borer. Check at your local nursery supply center.

[Nik Naym]

Thanks for that! I will.

[JerseyJohn61]

Joisey Ping

[outhousepatrol]

Ash borer? isn’t there one of those in Congress? Oh, i’m sorry, sure, Barney Frank. Spelled differently:A$$ BORER!