Emerald Ash Borer traps set in Conroe to survey for destructive beetle

CONROE, Texas - If you see a wee green creature hiding in the trees, it could be a leprechaun as St. Patrick’s Day approaches on March 17, or it could be something more mischievous ...the Emerald Ash Borer.

A green jewel beetle native to eastern Asia, the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis, feeds on the ash species.The adults EAB of North America are a bright metallic green with a bright red upper abdomen when viewed with the wings spread. Although a beautiful species of beetle, outside its native area, it’s an invasive species and highly destructive to ash trees native to North America.

According John Warner of the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Texas Master Naturalist Heartwood Chapter intern training will be assisting Texas A&M Forest Service in deploying EAB traps to Ash trees within a surveyed cell exhibiting two or more of the symptoms listed:

• Canopy stress/dieback
• Epicormic shoots/suckering
• Bark splits
• Woodpecker damage
• D-shaped exit holes (3-4 mm diameter)
• Serpentine larval galleries

“Emerald Ash Borer traps are being set out throughout Texas,” stated Warner. “Right now EAB is not in Texas but is found in Louisiana and Arkansas.”

The traps will be set in Ash trees for 120 days according to Warner. Pictured is a trap set in Conroe. The expected benefit of the 2016 EAB survey is three-fold:

1. To increase the number of instances of successful EAB detections outside the known infested area.
2. To improve land managers capability of detecting EAB close to the date of a new attack.
3. To find locations that are best suited to implement controls.

Although there is no immediate need for concern, Ash trees should be monitored for any of the symptoms previously listed, and any wearin’ of the green...the Emerald Ash Borer.