Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle from Asia that was discovered (in North America) near Detroit, Michigan in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage, causing little damage. However, the larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree. The emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes arriving from Asia, and has most likely spread by hitchhiking on firewood transported among homes and recreation areas in at least 36 states. In addition to Missouri, the emerald ash borer has been found in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin as well as the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia in Canada. It was discovered in southeast Missouri in July 2008 in Wayne County and, in September 2013, Missouri’s quarantine expanded to include all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.

Since its discovery in the US, the emerald ash borer has:

  • Killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in at least 36 states.
  • Caused regulatory agencies to enforce quarantines and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs.
  • Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries millions of dollars.

To report a possible emerald ash borer infestation in a county that has not yet been confirmed (see map below), call the state entomologist’s office at 573-751-5505.

Emerald Ash Borer Program LogoFor information on emerald ash borer in Missouri, or for quarantine questions contact Rosalee Knipp, State Entomologist, Missouri Department of Agriculture at (573) 751-5505.

To learn more about the efforts of the Cooperative Missouri Emerald Ash Borer Program, visit our website at www.eab.missouri.edu.

Homeowners, municipalities and others may refer to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s EAB Management Guide.

For additional information on Emerald Ash Borer see the following links:

Missouri Emerald Ash Borer Known Infested Counties Map

Federal EAB Quarantine & Authorized Transit Map