USDA's Emerald Ash Borer Program Report Update | December 18, 2020
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December 18, 2020
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works with State, Federal, and other partners to detect and manage known emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations. The EAB program uses biological control and ongoing research to minimize the impact from an infestation and maintain ash as a viable part of the American landscape. This report provides the most current information on EAB program efforts.
Announcements
Final Rule
On December 15, APHIS published a final rule that removes the federal domestic EAB quarantine regulations. APHIS has been transparent about the challenges associated with controlling EAB and that the domestic quarantine has not proven effective in stopping its spread. APHIS has worked to identify more effective and less intrusive methods and will direct available resources toward non-regulatory options for management and containment of the pest, such as rearing and releasing biological control agents. Removing the quarantine regulations ends APHIS' domestic regulatory activities, which includes actions such as issuing permits, certificates and compliance agreements, making site visits, and conducting investigations of suspected violations. The final rule and the response to the comments APHIS received are available in the Federal Register and the rule will be effective on January 14, 2021. Documents may be viewed online through this link.
Factsheets
On December 16, APHIS posted two new factsheets to answer questions around the removal of the quarantine regulations, and the use of biological control. The factsheets are available on the EAB program webpage or directly through these links:
- Changes in the Approach toward Fighting the Emerald Ash Borer
- Biological Control for Emerald Ash Borer
Firewood Guidelines
On December 16, the National Plant Board launched the website for its firewood guidelines, to serve as a resource for scientific, regulatory, outreach, and management strategies on the issue of forest pest transport within the U.S. firewood pathway. The website address is https://firewood.nationalplantboard.org/.
EAB in the United States
EAB is in 35 states and the District of Columbia: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Biological Control
USDA uses emerald ash borer's natural enemies as biocontrol agents. These tiny stingless wasps are showing promise in terms of protecting young ash saplings in a number of states. During the 2020 season, APHIS and their biological control partners released parasitoids in 31 new counties, bringing the total to 340 counties in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Parasitoids have been recovered in at least 22 states. The rearing facility is able to produce about 750,000 parasitoids per year, and more than 8 million parasitoids have been released to date. To learn more, please visit APHIS’ EAB Program webpage. If you have questions, please call 1-866-322-4512 or email eab.biocontrol.program@usda.gov.
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Biocontrol Agents Released |
|
|
January 1—December 17, 2020 |
Amount |
|
Oobius agrili |
152,851 |
|
Spathius agrili |
13,659 |
|
Spathius galinae |
78,179 |
|
Tetrastichus planipennisi |
341,279 |
|
Total |
585,968 |
Research
APHIS scientists are studying how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) might be used in a forest ecosystem to significantly reduce and control EAB populations. IPM combines a variety of tools and strategies to identify, manage, and reduce risks and impacts from pests. Scientists have already established research plots in green ash stands in New York, and they plan to establish plots in black ash stands in New York and Wisconsin.
Trapping
APHIS is providing traps and lures to states to conduct surveys. You can request traps, lures, and accessories through your State Plant Regulatory Official or you order them through the Integrated Plant Health Information System (IPHIS). If you are an APHIS cooperator, please remember to enter your survey data weekly into IPHIS.
Latest Maps
Federal Quarantine Map as of December 1, 2020
Ash Range Map with Federal Quarantine as of December 1, 2020
New County Detection Map as of December 1, 2020
Initial County EAB Detection Map as of December 1, 2020
Additional Resources
Informational Websites
EAB Website (Michigan State University)
Outreach Materials
Contacts
EAB National Policy Manager
Herb Bolton, 301-851-3594
EAB National Operations Manager
Russ Bulluck, 919-855-7182
If you think you’ve found EAB or signs of infestation, record the area where the specimen was found and take digital pictures of the insect and tree damage. Submit your report to your State Plant Health Director, or email Report.EAB@usda.gov, or call the EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512. Thank you.
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