Emerald Ash BorerThere is a flying insect with a shimmering green body, a little less than half an inch long, belonging to the category of beetles: the emerald ash borer. Unfortunately, it is now part of our entomological fauna in Quebec.
The emerald ash has become an object of terror. Why has it become an object of terror? Because of its enormous devastation. It all starts with the larva. The larva is white and its favourite activity is the drilling of galleries in the shape of coils. When this wood-vein caver becomes an adult, it leaves this pulpy world and then tastes the foliage of its favourite tree. Except that the insect is not native to Canada. The emerald ash borer was first introduced to North America in 2002. It has travelled an enormous distance from Asia, concealed in crates or pallets made of ash wood. And unfortunately, the bug liked it here, so it moved in. Now it also travels inland, replicating its original method. It also takes refuge in the firewood, which contains the disastrous wood essence. |
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The effects of its presence
As you can see, EAB is an insect pest. The problem is that it has no natural predators on our northern continent. So don't just pick it off.
The infestation occurs in four phases. It begins in the upper parts of the plant and continues towards the base. At this stage, the attack is total. First, the larvae operate discreetly, sometimes for 2 or even 3 years. In phase 2, which can occur one year later, damage is noticeable during the summer. The foliage is somewhat yellowed and the tops begin to bare. Another year, and phase 3 appears, corresponding to a more pronounced thinning of the tops. The trunk is also covered with greedy foliage. In the last phase, which also usually takes a year to arrive, the gourds overabundate and the bark peels seriously. The most likely outcome is the death of the attacked tree. Death can occur after 5 years, sometimes in as little as a year. If the attack is fatal, it is mainly due to the depth of the galleries made by the larvae: this activity eventually blocks the flow of sap.
It is rare to reach a total infestation. The life of an infested ash tree is already compromised when the attack is only halfway through. Because the insect spreads between March and September, it is not advisable to cut down a damaged tree during this period.
It is rare to reach a total infestation. The life of an infested ash tree is already compromised when the attack is only halfway through. Because the insect spreads between March and September, it is not advisable to cut down a damaged tree during this period.
Signs and symptoms
If you already have ash trees on your property, you are a potential candidate. But then, it's probably not a good idea to improvise yourself as an insect investigator. It is imperative that you be able to discern whether the signs and symptoms you are looking for are really those of an infestation by this insect, those of another insect, or if it is a disease. Knowledge to this effect is required. Not only do our experts have that knowledge, but they also know how to match the right treatment to the situation.
When it comes to EAB infestation, the key is to intervene as early as possible. This requires the ability to detect the EAB at an early stage because the initial signs and symptoms are very subtle. All the more so since they are due to the internal and therefore invisible activity of the larvae. And this can go on for years without the slightest suspicion.
As the unusual beast proceeds in a downward movement to commit its devastation, the signs and symptoms are formed and appear in a homologous manner: first wounds, cracks, sap flows or bark detachment and discolouration all start high up before continuing downwards. If the bark becomes detached, it is probably because squirrels come to feast on the larvae. The woodpeckers do the same, but drill their usual holes, which then scatter the bark throughout. It is therefore important to look high up to spot the very first clues. The most difficult thing is to differentiate between these signs and those of normal situations or other diseases. This is where the connoisseur comes in.
Other distinguishing signs can be a bit of a wake-up call, so to speak. We already know that the larvae are engaged in their sinuous drilling. But there comes a time when they have grown to adult size and want to come out to fly free. To do this, they drill again, but this time they drill exit holes about 4 mm in diameter, strangely resembling a capital "D". This is because they have a rounded belly and a flat back.
Here is a last significant element: the samaras of an infested ash tree are singularly abundant. Samaras are fruits or seeds with some sort of wings; in maples, they are commonly referred to as helicopters. However, this is not as strange as it may seem. It is an indication of the immense stress experienced by the plant.
When it comes to EAB infestation, the key is to intervene as early as possible. This requires the ability to detect the EAB at an early stage because the initial signs and symptoms are very subtle. All the more so since they are due to the internal and therefore invisible activity of the larvae. And this can go on for years without the slightest suspicion.
As the unusual beast proceeds in a downward movement to commit its devastation, the signs and symptoms are formed and appear in a homologous manner: first wounds, cracks, sap flows or bark detachment and discolouration all start high up before continuing downwards. If the bark becomes detached, it is probably because squirrels come to feast on the larvae. The woodpeckers do the same, but drill their usual holes, which then scatter the bark throughout. It is therefore important to look high up to spot the very first clues. The most difficult thing is to differentiate between these signs and those of normal situations or other diseases. This is where the connoisseur comes in.
Other distinguishing signs can be a bit of a wake-up call, so to speak. We already know that the larvae are engaged in their sinuous drilling. But there comes a time when they have grown to adult size and want to come out to fly free. To do this, they drill again, but this time they drill exit holes about 4 mm in diameter, strangely resembling a capital "D". This is because they have a rounded belly and a flat back.
Here is a last significant element: the samaras of an infested ash tree are singularly abundant. Samaras are fruits or seeds with some sort of wings; in maples, they are commonly referred to as helicopters. However, this is not as strange as it may seem. It is an indication of the immense stress experienced by the plant.
Detect early
It is important to insist that early action is needed to have a chance of saving an ash tree from being felled. To identify the sneaky larvae, a specialized protocol has been devised. It is quite simple. It consists of carefully selecting a branch that meets certain characteristics and then removing its bark. Moreover, it is important to practice the technique either in autumn or in winter. The reason is also very simple: then the larva is at its maximum size. For all the reasons already mentioned, it is still important to leave this work to specialists. Note that if a cull is necessary, it is preferable to also proceed with a grubbing operation.
Intervene early
How can I avoid EAB infestation? It's easy: don't plant this species in your home! But if your property already has EAB, you must obviously keep them, and the risk is still there. You can reduce the risk by planting other species of trees to keep them company. Biodiversity has qualities of resilience that are underestimated.
However, you should be aware that it is not only in the ash trees scattered across your lawn that the pest stands. If you heat with wood, and your ropes contain ash, it is possible that EAB may have taken up residence there. However, a basic precaution can still reduce your potential bad luck: simply deal with a local supplier. The risk will not be zero, but significantly reduced.
Be aware that one of the roles of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is to enforce regulations for transporting EAB wood between infested and non-infested areas. Such transportation is not totally prohibited. However, there are restrictions on the conditions for doing so.
Here is a list of products concerned. These are bark or raw ash wood and objects made of this type of wood: chips, logs, pallets, packaging material. Of course, ash trees as trees are also affected, as well as another element. These are the vehicles used to transport these products. They too are regulated. Contravening these regulations can have serious consequences.
Guying
However, you should be aware that it is not only in the ash trees scattered across your lawn that the pest stands. If you heat with wood, and your ropes contain ash, it is possible that EAB may have taken up residence there. However, a basic precaution can still reduce your potential bad luck: simply deal with a local supplier. The risk will not be zero, but significantly reduced.
Be aware that one of the roles of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is to enforce regulations for transporting EAB wood between infested and non-infested areas. Such transportation is not totally prohibited. However, there are restrictions on the conditions for doing so.
Here is a list of products concerned. These are bark or raw ash wood and objects made of this type of wood: chips, logs, pallets, packaging material. Of course, ash trees as trees are also affected, as well as another element. These are the vehicles used to transport these products. They too are regulated. Contravening these regulations can have serious consequences.
Guying
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