OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2003
Media Contact: Melanie Wilt, ODA Communications, 614-752-9817 

No New Findings of Emerald Ash Borer in Ohio, State to Expand Survey 

REYNOLDSBURG – The Ohio Department of Agriculture has found no new signs of Emerald Ash Borer in Ohio since an April eradication procedure eliminated the ash tree-destroying pest from an area near Whitehouse in Lucas County, and it will begin an expanded survey to ensure the pest does not exist here. 

“So far, departmental surveys show that this was an isolated problem and our eradication efforts worked as planned,” Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey said. “We will continue to look for signs of Emerald Ash Borer to prevent severe economic damage to Ohio’s multi-million dollar timber and horticulture industries and to prevent aesthetic damage to residential areas.” 

Beginning in July, the department will expand its survey to include the following 20 counties: Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Marion, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot. 

Department plant pest inspectors have worked to survey the area where the pest was originally found, looking for signs of adult insects that would have emerged from their cocoons in the last month. In addition to inspecting in the Whitehouse area, inspectors and local Extension agents have responded to hundreds of reports from concerned citizens. None of those reports have resulted in a diagnosis of Emerald Ash Borer infestations. However, everyone is encouraged to report potential infestations to ODA’s Plant Pest Section at 614-728-6400, and to refrain from moving potential host plants from their property while they are under evaluation. 

“We’re seeing a lot of native borer activity that can often mimic the damage caused by the Emerald Ash Borer,” said Tom Harrison, ODA plant pest manager. “Native ash borers can attack trees stressed by drought and other environmental factors, but native borer infestations are generally not as fatal, fast-spreading, or difficult to remedy as Emerald Ash Borer infestations.” 

In May, the USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service committed $300,000 for continued survey efforts and to reimburse the state for expenses incurred during survey and eradication in April, when the department cut, chipped, and removed about 4,000 ash trees from 23 properties in Lucas County. About 100 ash trees on other properties farther from the infestation were treated with imidacloprid, an insecticide injected into the tree that has been effective in experiments in preventing new infestations.

State regulations are in place to control and prevent the spread of a number of invasive species and plant diseases to protect the health of Ohio’s plants and prevent massive economic losses to the nursery, timber, and tourism industries and the communities they serve. 

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive species from Asia that belongs to a group of insects known as metallic wood-boring beetles. Adults are dark metallic green in color, ½ inch in length and 1/16 inch wide, and are present from mid May until late July. Larvae are creamy white in color and invade and damage the tree the rest of the year. It will typically kill an ash tree within three years.

 Consumers can view signs of and damage by the Emerald Ash Borer on the department’s Home page at www.state.oh.us/agr by clicking on “Emerald Ash Borer.”

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