Agrilus planipennis: Emerald ash borer

In December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) changed its approach to fight the emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation that has spread through much of the U.S. As of Jan. 14, APHIS removed the federal domestic EAB quarantine regulations that have proved ineffective. The funding that had been allocated to enforcing the quarantine will be redirected to more promising methods, including development of biological control agents.

Removing the quarantine regulations ends APHIS’ domestic regulatory activities, which includes actions such as issuing permits, certificates and compliance agreements, making site visits, and conducting investigations of suspected violations. APHIS is working with the National Plant Board on effective strategies to manage firewood movement, which is one of the ways the emerald ash borer spreads.

Questions about the regulatory change for EAB can be directed to National Policy Manager Herb Bolton at 301-851-3594 or Herbert.Bolton@usda.gov.

Native to China, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Russian Far East, the emerald ash borer beetle (EAB) was unknown in North America until its discovery in southeast Michigan in 2002. Currently, EAB infestations have been detected in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

Editor’s note: We wrote about APHIS’ research into parasitoid wasps as biological controls for EAB. Read more at www.nurserymag.com/article/natural--predators/