An invasive species eating its way through the north and south east part of the Commonwealth could be stopped before reaching western counties.
The Emerald Ash Borer first appeared in Kentucky in 2009 and has consumed plant life in 60 counties.
University of Kentucky entomologists are leading efforts to prevent the spread of the pesky beetle by blending chemical insecticide applications with biological control releases since 2013.
UK forest entomologist Lynne Rieske- Kinney said the insecticide treatments slow development of the beetle, providing a longer window of opportunity for the biological control agents to become established.
Researchers are releasing parasitic wasps that kill emerald ash borer larvae and eggs. Because infested trees tend to die rapidly, getting the wasps established is difficult says Rieske-Kinney
“It's important that people realize individuals play a very significant role in the spread of invasive species,” said Rieske-Kenney.
As the autumn months approach, researchers are asking those headed outdoors to do mindful of where they source their firewood.
“Probably the biggest culprit with wood boring insects is moving firewood. So, a tree a dies in somebody's yard and they cut it down and then they go camping and they take that wood for firewood. But that wood in fact may very well harbor all sorts of invasive species and that is the way that Emerald Ash Borer moved so quickly across the U.S.” Rieske-Kenney said.
There are several species of Ash Trees in Kentucky according to Rieske-Kenney, though the Green Ash and the White Ash are “by far the most prevalent and they are both highly susceptible to Emerald Ash Borer.”
Image of Ash Distribution Hundreds of thousands of Ash stems in Kentucky have been depleted by the Emerald Ash Borer because the wood was used so frequently, said Rieske-Kenney, specifically in urban situations.
“It's a very good street tree, landscape tree, so it was used for those purposes throughout the Eastern part of the state in particular,” she said. With continued controls and mindful human interaction, researchers are optimistic the borer’s spread can be contained.
