Emerald Ash Borer - Illinois First Detector Tree Pest Program

 

 The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), or EAB, has been gradually making its way across the continental US since 2002. This beetle has killed millions of ash trees to date and poses a threat to all communities where ash grows. Originating from Asia, these small, green jewel beetles pose a serious threat to ash trees across the states. EAB has been reported in Canada as well as Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The EAB has a 1-2 year lifecycle. Adult females lay eggs on the tree and within 1-2 weeks the larvae emerge and bore through the bark and into the cambium. This is the nutrient-rich area just under the bark. Larvae feed laterally around the tree, girdling it and preventing nutrients from travelling up through the tree. Signs of infestation start with thinning of the upper canopy. Up to half of the canopy may be destroyed after a few years of infestation and the tree may be killed after about six years. Epicormic shoots will appear in the branch collars of the tree and around the base. EAB prefer to attack stressed or damaged trees, but will also infest healthy trees. Due to the severity of the problem, much is being done to prevent the spread of EAB. There are many public ad campaigns discouraging people from moving wood out of the county of its origin to reduce the spread of this and other borers. Federal and State agencies as well as Universities are working with the public to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer.
 (Rachel Kirchoefer and Phil Nixon)

Early detection and response is key to managing invasive pests. The Illinois First Detector Workshops are aimed at improving first-detector training and invasive species awareness. Plan to attend these workshops focusing on current and emerging invasive forest pests in Illinois. Each location will have sessions devoted to the emerald ash borer, thousand cankers disease, and invasive plants. In-depth training sessions will highlight identification, symptoms, management, and much more!

Registration for this program will be handled by various University of Illinois Extension host sites.  You can easily register via the Extension links and contacts listed below. 

February 12 – Springfield, IL –Springfield Extension Office

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit

Register at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=7542

(Registration will be open until February 5^th.)

Contact:  Jennifer Fishburn- fishburn@illinois.edu

February 26 – Moline, IL -Deere-Wiman Carriage House

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Henry-Mercer-Rock Island-Stark Unit

Register at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=7407

(Registration will be open until February 26^th.)

Contact:  Martha Smith -smithma@illinois.edu or Tracy Mulliken- tmully@illinois.edu

March 7 – Mt. Vernon, IL –Jefferson County Extension Office

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Bond-Clinton-Jefferson-Marion-Washington Unit

Register at: www.extension.uiuc.edu/bcjmw

(Registration will be open January 22nd until February 28^th.)

Contact:  Chelsie Keene- ckeene@illinois.edu

March 14 – Collinsville, IL – Collinsville Extension office

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Madison-Monroe-St. Clair Unit

Register at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/mms/

(Registration will be open January 7th until March 8th and cash, check, and charge accepted.)

Contact:  Sarah Ruth- ruth1@illinois.edu

March 21 – Champaign, IL – Champaign Extension Office

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Champaign-Ford-Iroquois-Vermilion Unit

Register at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/

(Registration due by March 18th. No refunds after March 20^th.)

Contact:  Sandy Mason- slmason@illinois.edu

March 26 – Lemont, IL- Midwest Golf House (*FULL)

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Cook County

Register at: http://extension.illinois.edu/go/treepest

(Registration will be open December 1st until March 17th.)

Contact:  Greg Stack -gstack@illinois.edu

April 4 – Lemont, IL- Midwest Golf House

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Cook County

Register at: http://extension.illinois.edu/go/treepest

(Registration will be open until March 26th.)

Contact:  Greg Stack -gstack@illinois.edu

A $25 registration fee covers on-site lunch and training materials. No registration at the door. If you do not cancel prior to the workshop, and do not attend, there is no refund.

All workshops 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

*Each Workshop is worth

4.0 Continuing Forestry Education Credits

4.25 Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s) for IAA Certified Arborists

Questions:  Contact Stephanie Porter at satterle@illinois.edu