Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Tracking the movement of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is important to the survival of the ash tree, according to officials from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. These little beetle types can quickly destroy a tree, and the ash tree is their preferred choice.

This summer, rectangular purple boxes (traps) began appearing in trees throughout southeastern Indiana. A DNR representative stopped at the home of David and Karen Reynolds of Holton and told them about the situation asking to place a purple box (trap) in their ash tree. The couple’s home is located next to a sawmill, so it met the criteria to participate in the survey.

The traps are lined with glue and baited with manuka oil to attract the EAB. Purdue University entomologist Jodie Ellis noted, “The purple panel traps have helped us to accurately pinpoint where EAB is located so we can have the proper areas quarantined to help slow its spread.” The non-toxic glue is not harmful to humans or pets, but it is sticky.

While there haven’t been any reports of the EAB in Ripley County, that’s how officials want it to stay. Eric Bitner is coordinating the survey in Indiana with about 7,000 traps within a grid area. On August 6 a press release from the DNR noted that the purple panel traps have now detected the Emerald Ash Borer near Louisville in Floyd County. The DNR will conduct additional surveys around the sites (found in the community of Georgetown) to determine the extent of the infestations. This county joins other quarantined counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Hamilton, Huntington, LaGrange, Marion, Noble, Porter, Randolph, St. Joseph, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, White, Whitley and most recently, Koscuisko County. This means that no regulated ash products, which includes nursery trees, ash logs and hardwood firewood, can be taken out of these counties.

Moving the ash products is the major way the infestations are found, according to Ellis. She noted that rather than the natural spread of the beetle, the movement of the infested ash products by people is how it is spread. That’s why they’re monitoring logging companies and properties nearby such as the Reynolds’ from Holton. Campers are advised not to bring in firewood from other places, since that seems to be one of the biggest ways the beetles are brought in, according to officials.

Information given to the Reynolds family included a card that said that said the EAB is a non-native, wood-boring beetle that kills ash trees. It has killed millions of ash trees in the Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario areas, where it was first found in 2002. Other states where the infestations have occurred include other locations in Michigan besides Detroit, Ohio, Maryland and Indiana. It was noted that all infestations outside of the Detroit area were caused by people moving infested nursery trees, logs and firewood to uninfected areas. For more information on the EAB you can contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-663-9684 or visit Purdue University’s Extension website at: www.entm.purdue.edu/EAB.

Adult Emerald Ash Borer

BETH RUMSEY PHOTO David Reynolds of Holton, poses beside the ash tree where a trap has been set by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to monitor the movement of the Emerald Ash Borer.