The New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle has been found and confirmed for the first time in several new locations in Tompkins County and the city of Ithaca.

"DEC is aggressively working to monitor and limit the spread of new infestations of emerald ash borer in the city of Ithaca and Tompkins County," DEC Commissioner Seggos said. "We encourage the public to pay close attention to signs of this invasive pest and report any detections to DEC. The spread of EAB to Tompkins County illustrates how rapidly EAB populations are expanding in and out of New York.”

This is the first new detection of EAB in New York since the state’s Restricted Zone was expanded in May of 2017, when new infestations were discovered in Kings, Queens, Montgomery, Fulton, Franklin, and Saint Lawrence counties. The tree-killing pest has also recently been discovered for the first time in neighboring Vermont.

In Tompkins County, DEC is working with communities to limit the spread of EAB and minimize its impacts. In recent years, DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program has granted almost $50,000 to communities in the county to complete inventories and begin the process of phasing ash out of the urban canopy. Most recently, grants have been provided for replanting. As a Tree City USA for over 30 years, Ithaca has worked closely with DEC to prepare for EAB by removing and replacing its ash. DEC continues to provide technical guidance on tree removals, chemical treatment options, and the many benefits of a healthy urban forest.

EAB (Agrilus planipennis), first discovered in the U.S. in 2002 in southeastern Michigan, is an invasive tree pest in the United States, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees in forests, yards, and along streets.  This Asian beetle infests and kills North American ash species (Fraxinus sp.), including green, white, black, and blue ash. All native ash trees are susceptible.

New York has more than 900 million ash trees, representing about seven percent of all trees in the state. Urban and suburban communities face particular risks, as ash is a common street and park tree. Green ash, in particular, has been widely planted as an ornamental tree in yards. Locating infested sites early can significantly delay the loss of ash trees and decrease the subsequent costs for their removal and replacement.

The beetles’ larvae feed in the cambium layer just below the bark, preventing the transport of water and nutrients into the crown and killing the tree.  Emerging adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Adults are roughly 3/8 to 5/8 inch long with metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen. They may be present from late May through early September but are most common in June and July. Other signs of infestation include tree canopy dieback, yellowing, and browning of leaves. 

Human-assisted movement is the primary means by which EAB is spread and moved around the state, particularly on firewood and infested ash logs. Please be aware DEC regulations prohibit the movement of firewood beyond 50 miles from its source.

Governor Cuomo increased funding for invasive species control to $13.3 million from the Environmental Protection Fund in the 2018-19 State Budget. This funding is providing critical support for prevention and eradication activities through programs like the Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) that protect against threats to New York's biodiversity, economy, and human health.

For more information about emerald ash borer, please visit DEC's website. Occurrences of EAB and other invasive species can be reported to the DEC’s Forest Health Information Line toll-free at 1-866-640-0652.