The Town of West Hartford wants to help slow the spread of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer.
Submitted by the Town of West Hartford
Report all sightings of Emerald Ash Borer to the West Hartford Department of Public Works. Submitted photo
A green beetle has been causing havoc on Connecticut Ash trees. If you see this bug, we want to know! Call the Department of Public Works at 860-561-8100.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a small, green beetle that belongs to a large family of beetles known metallic wood boring beetles. The emerald ash borer, with its green, iridescent wings, is relatively slender and measures between 0.3 to 0.55 inches in length. (see photo)
Emerald Ash Borers feed on ash trees almost exclusively. In Connecticut, there are three species of ash trees – the white ash, the green or red ash and the black ash.
The green beetle borers into the tree and lays eggs. The larvae feeds on the tree’s phloem and cambium, and the adult beetles feed on its leaves. The life cycle of an EAB takes one or two years to complete.
The D-shaped hole is an indicator of the presence of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. Submitted photo
Emerald Ash Borer is an insect that is not native to North America. Even healthy native ash trees do not have the ability to effectively resist the onslaught of this invasive, exotic beetle. Individual trees tend to die within two to three years after becoming infested.
A definite sign of the Emerald Ash Borer is the presence of a D-shaped exit hole in the bark of an ash tree. This hole is left by the emerging adult, as it chews its way out of the tree. (see photo)
If you spot the EAB or indicators that the beetle is present, please call Public Works at 860-561-8100 and a representative will come out to confirm the siting and will then notify the proper authorities.
For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer, visit ww.ct.gov/deep/eab
