Invasive insect discovered in western parts of county
By Dionna HarrisFact Box
At a glance
The emerald ash borer - initially found in eastern parts of Delta County - has now also been located near the Delta-Menominee county line.
GARDEN - The Michigan Department of Agriculture, which had confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer in eastern Delta County, has also discovered evidence of the invasive insect in western Delta County. An infestation was found near the Delta-Menominee County line.
Earlier this spring, the Delta Conservation District, through a grant program, placed numerous traps throughout the county to determine if the species had advanced through the Upper Peninsula. It was initially discovered in the U.P. near St. Ignace.
The emerald ash borer attacks only ash trees. In the U.P. there are three species of ash - white ash, considered an upland species; black ash, which prefers swampy areas; and green ash, which can be usually found near rivers or streams.
The presence of the emerald ash borer in Lower Michigan led to a ban on the transportation of ash firewood from areas where the insect had been positively identified.
"There is one confirmed test site in Nahma for the presence of the emerald ash borer, and two more locations in Garden," said Rory Mattson, executive director of the Delta Conservation District.
However, according to Mattson, there is no indication as of yet as to how extensive the infestation is.
"The Delta Conservation District is working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service to determine the extent of the infestation, and to devise a means of eradicating this insect before it becomes too widespread throughout the U.P.," he said.
Symptoms of an ash borer infestation can be seen in the crown of an infected tree as it will begin to die off. As the tree begins to die, new side shoots can be spotted as it attempts to fight off the invader.
An emerald ash borer larvae will exit an ash tree leaving a D shaped exit hole.
There is also signs of bark splitting, with tunneling under the bark.
An infested tree slowly starves to death because it is unable to pull necessary nutrients and water from its roots.
"We are pretty sure this infestation is the largest one seen to date, and we are taking necessary measures to prevent the spread," said Mattson.
