Purple traps monitor invasive Emerald Ash Borer
BRISBEN – Wondering why there are suddenly bright purple, prism-shaped boxes hanging at random from trees around Chenango County? You aren’t the only one.
Rebecca Hargrave, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County’s horticulture and natural resources educator, said she has received numerous phone calls about the brightly painted boxes.
“They are monitoring traps for the Emerald Ash Borer,” she explained.
The three-sided purple structures, which are covered in a sticky lure, are designed to attract the invasive Asian insects, which are a threat to native ash trees. The traps have been placed by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as part of a national effort to monitor the spread of the small metallic green beetles, the larvae of which feed under the bark of the tree.
According to Hargrave, the insects, which are not native to Asia, first appeared in the United State in 2001, when they were discovered around Detroit. Without natural predators to keep them in check, she says the invasive beetle has killed tens of millions of ash trees in 15 states and two Canadian provinces. As of last year, seven of New York’s 62 counties were affected by 6 known infestations. Two more exist over the Canadian border.
“None of our native ash trees are safe,” Hargrave said.
The traps – which Hargrave stresses are for monitoring only, not control of the species – have been hung throughout the county, primarily along main roads, in campgrounds and around sawmills. As emerald ash borers are attracted to stressed trees, some of the traps may appear on ash trees which have been girdled, or had bark removed.
“Right now, we do not know of an EAB infestation in Chenango County or any of our immediate neighboring counties,” she said. “But, now is the time to make thoughtful decisions about managing woodland, park, yard, and street ash trees.”
The brightly painted wooden traps have already begun to help increase awareness of the threat to native ash trees. Hargrave and her counterparts at the New York State Department of Environmenal Conservation are tagging area ash trees to help educate residents. These bright yellow tags are tied to tree with purple flagging to match the traps, and include quick facts on how to identify the insects as well as where to go for more information.
On Monday, Hargrave traveled to Brisben to mark a tree at the parking area off State Highway 12 just north of the hamlet. As she tied the tag to the tree, she explained that the adult beetle is metallic green, about a 1/2 inch in length and leaves a distinct D-shaped hole in the bark when they emerge from the ash tree in late May though early July.
If anyone finds an insect they believe to be an emerald ash borer, they are encouraged to bring it to the CCE Chenango office, 99 Broad St. in Norwich, for identification.
According to Hargrave, one of the factors which has led to the spread of emerald ash borers and other invasive species is by transporting infected firewood. As camping season approaches, she reminds area residents not to move firewood.
For more information, contact CCE Chenango at 334-5841 or visit nyis.info.
Rebecca Hargrave, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County’s horticulture and natural resources educator, said she has received numerous phone calls about the brightly painted boxes.
“They are monitoring traps for the Emerald Ash Borer,” she explained.
The three-sided purple structures, which are covered in a sticky lure, are designed to attract the invasive Asian insects, which are a threat to native ash trees. The traps have been placed by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as part of a national effort to monitor the spread of the small metallic green beetles, the larvae of which feed under the bark of the tree.
According to Hargrave, the insects, which are not native to Asia, first appeared in the United State in 2001, when they were discovered around Detroit. Without natural predators to keep them in check, she says the invasive beetle has killed tens of millions of ash trees in 15 states and two Canadian provinces. As of last year, seven of New York’s 62 counties were affected by 6 known infestations. Two more exist over the Canadian border.
“None of our native ash trees are safe,” Hargrave said.
The traps – which Hargrave stresses are for monitoring only, not control of the species – have been hung throughout the county, primarily along main roads, in campgrounds and around sawmills. As emerald ash borers are attracted to stressed trees, some of the traps may appear on ash trees which have been girdled, or had bark removed.
“Right now, we do not know of an EAB infestation in Chenango County or any of our immediate neighboring counties,” she said. “But, now is the time to make thoughtful decisions about managing woodland, park, yard, and street ash trees.”
The brightly painted wooden traps have already begun to help increase awareness of the threat to native ash trees. Hargrave and her counterparts at the New York State Department of Environmenal Conservation are tagging area ash trees to help educate residents. These bright yellow tags are tied to tree with purple flagging to match the traps, and include quick facts on how to identify the insects as well as where to go for more information.
On Monday, Hargrave traveled to Brisben to mark a tree at the parking area off State Highway 12 just north of the hamlet. As she tied the tag to the tree, she explained that the adult beetle is metallic green, about a 1/2 inch in length and leaves a distinct D-shaped hole in the bark when they emerge from the ash tree in late May though early July.
If anyone finds an insect they believe to be an emerald ash borer, they are encouraged to bring it to the CCE Chenango office, 99 Broad St. in Norwich, for identification.
According to Hargrave, one of the factors which has led to the spread of emerald ash borers and other invasive species is by transporting infected firewood. As camping season approaches, she reminds area residents not to move firewood.
For more information, contact CCE Chenango at 334-5841 or visit nyis.info.
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