[APWG] FW: [ma-eppc] Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update

Thu Nov 1 08:55:07 CDT 2007

Larry

Larry Morse
Washington, D.C.
larry.morse.dc at earthlink.net
(Larry.E.Morse at LEM-Natural-Diversity.com)
(202)-543-2488
< http://www.lem-natural-diversity.com/ >

----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: ma-eppc at yahoogroups.com;tree_stewards at yahoogroups.com
Sent: 10/29/2007 3:53:11 PM 
Subject: [ma-eppc] Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update

The following note is from the Maryland Extension office's current IPM report.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update â€“ Stanton Gill
I attended the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Research Conference in Pittsburgh, PA this week and
thought you would appreciate some of the information that was presented.
Philip Bell, USDA APHIS, reported that EAB has been found in Michigan, Maryland, Virginia,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The find in West Virginia is very recent
(2007). Gina Davis, Michigan Department of Agriculture, also confirmed EAB in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan near the Canadian border in Mackinac County, Brevort Township. This is a
new area of spread in Michigan. In Pennsylvania, researchers believe the EAB has been in PA for
at least 7 years. S. E. Spichiger, PA Department of Agriculture, is working with Greg Hoover, PA
State University, in developing an educational outreach program. PA Department of Agriculture
has hired 35 people for sampling in the state. Fifteen billboards have also been posted in PA on
Emerald ash borer to increase public awareness.
Ken Marchant, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, reported on the EAB situation in Ontario. In
Canada they created a firebreak to try to stop the spread of EAB, but unfortunately it failed. The
problem was that by the time they found infested areas, the emerald ash borer had already been
present for several years. Canada stopped cutting infested trees because they found it not to be cost
effective. Marchant said that once an ash tree is dead it will fall within 18 months, which creates a
liability problem for municipalities. Ash trees make up about 50% of the street trees in most cities
in Ontario. Merchant also noted that, with millions of street trees in Ontario, the potential for
spread and damage from EAB is very high. In Canada they are registering all wood mills, pallet
makers, and saw mills to prevent EAB from getting into processed wood.
A.A. Cosse, USDA, reported on the biology and behavior of the emerald ash borer. Cosse noted
that male EAB seem to locate females more readily when they are located in the sun, and do not
do well in shade. There are long-chained, heavy pheromone compounds on the cuticle of the
female. In the sun the pheromone volatilizes more and attracts the males. Once the male is close to
the female, he finds her visually. The shape of the beetle is what attracts the male to the female.
Heat Treating Firewood to Kill EAB Larvae
Scott Myers, the Brighton Institute, has been doing work on investigating methods to kill emerald
ash borer larvae in firewood. He tested multiple temperatures, 50 Â°C â€“ 65 Â°C (122 Â°F to 149 Â°F) at
15, 30, 45 and 60 minute intervals. He reports that heating firewood to 65 Â°C (149 Â°F) for 30
minutes provides a safe starting point that resulted in 100 % mortality in his studies. Scott feels
that firewood processors with large kilns and temperature probes could meet this required
temperature and treatment time fairly efficiently. This might have practical use for firewood
suppliers that are shipping to other states, but more research is needed. Small firewood processors
Thank you to the Maryland Arborist Association, the Landscape Contractors Association of MD, D.C. and VA,
Professional Grounds Management Society, Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association and FALCAN for your financial
support in making these weekly reports possible. Photographs by Suzanne Klick, Stanton Gill or Shannon Wadkins
unless otherwise noted.
The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by
Maryland Cooperative Extension is implied.
3
may find it impossible to accurately treat their firewood at a responsible cost. Kelli Hoover,PA
State University, will be presenting at the January USDA Interagency Research Froum on Gypsy
Moth and other Invasive Species in Annapolis on alternative methods of treating firewood.
Notes on Ash
Plant breeders are looking for variation in ash seedlings. Since ash produce male and female trees,
there should be some variability out there. They are sampling seedlings from various parts of the
US to see if they can find genes for EAB resistance. White ash is considered an upland species and
the green ash is considered a lowland species. The black ash performs best in wetland areas.
Chemical Control Research
Phillip Lewis, USDA APHIS, looked at aerial application of spinosad and found that it lasts about
7 days before the spore count drops down to very low levels. Dow Agro Chemical has developed
a synthetic form of spinosad called XDE-175. This synthetic spinosad lasts longer and is more
toxic to pests. In a trial that Lewis et. al conducted, they found that synthetic spinosad was
slightly more toxic to EAB. A mix of regular spinosad and synthetic spinosad XDE-175 extends
efficacy for up to 2 months. Lewis feels that spinosad has the potential to control EAB adults
when it is applied during their feeding stage.
Deb McCullough, Michigan State University, reported that trunk sprays and trunk injections of
emamectin benzoate (Syngenta Company) gave 100% mortality. This product is not registered
with EPA. More work needs to be done with this product, and hopefully it will receive EPA
registration in a couple of years. In their trials, Safari applications worked well and Safari with
Pentra Bark was slightly better.
Nate Royalty, Bayer Company, and Dave Smitley, Michigan State University, are doing work on
rates of imidacloprid soil applications for different sized trees. They found that imidacloprid
worked on small trees, but did not give good control on large trees. They found that larger trees
require 8 â€“ 12 weeks uptake the imidacloprid. Weakened trees do not uptake imidacloprid as well.

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