EMERALD ASH BORER
Agrilus planipennis
Emerald Ash Borers - Biology
Although no specific insects are mentioned in Emily Dickinson's poem, Death is like the Insect, she describes a borer that is difficult to rid yourself of and kills the tree it feasts on. The Emerald Ash Borer is a perfect example of this and has had devastating effects on the US Midwest. The Emerald Ash Borer is native to Asia and Eastern Russia but was introduced to the United States in 2002.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) grows to adulthood and lives for a total of two years. They reach a size of 8.5 to 14 mm (1/3 to 1/2 inches) long and 3.1 to 3.4 mm (about 0.13 inches) wide. The EAB gets its name from the emerald coloring of their head and body. Their back is covered by their long wings, but underneath their abdomen 10 different segments can be seen. EABs start as eggs laid in late June to August in crevices or under bark flaps. They hatch seven to nine days into their larva stage. Once hatched, they chew through the bark into the tree where they develop. After a couple of months, they begin to mature and excavate small rooms in the tree, where they continue to develop. It is there that the EAB larva change into prepupae, pupae, and then adults by the following spring. In the spring, the adult EAB dig their way out of the tree. Seven to ten days after digging their way out of the tree, adults begin to mate. They can mate several times in this period. Once emerging, adults live three to six weeks before dying. During this period they feed on the leaves of the Ash tree. (2) |