EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB)

Adults. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), is a beetle (Coleoptera) in the family Buprestidae. Adult EAB appear metallic, with emerald green hardened front wings (elytra). Adults are 7.5-13.5 millimeters (0.3-0.5 in) long. After having completed their development under the bark of an ash tree, in the spring new adults chew holes through the bark, producing a characteristic D-shaped exit hole. Newly emerged adults feed for about one week on ash leaves before mating, but cause little defoliation in the process. A typical female can live around six weeks and lay approximately 60–90 eggs, but some females live long enough to lay up to 200 eggs.

Eggs. Eggs are deposited between bark crevices, flakes, or cracks and hatch about two weeks later. Eggs are approximately 1.0 millimeters (0.04 in) long and 0.6 to 1.0 millimeter (0.02 to 0.04 in) in diameter, are initially white, but later turn reddish-brown and hatch in 7-10 days.

Larvae. EAB larvae are white and slightly flattened, with a pair of brown pincher-like appendages on the last abdominal segment. Larvae feed on an ash tree’s vascular cambium (a thin layer under a tree’s bark that produces new wood and conductive tissues). This feeding produces long serpentine galeries that interrupt transport of water and nutrients and kill the tree. Over the course of one or two years, EAB larvae develop through four growth stages (instars), shedding their skin (molting) between each instar. Fully mature fourth-instar larvae are 26 to 32 millimeter (1.0 to 1.3 in) long. In fall, mature fourth-instar larvae excavate chambers about 1.25 centimeters (0.49 in) into the sapwood or outer bark where they fold into a J-shape. Inside the chambers, the J-shaped larvae shorten into prepupae before converting into 10-14 millimeter (0.4-0.6 in) long pupae and then emerging as adults the following spring.

Impact. All species of ash (Fraxinus spp.), including those native to Texas, are vulnerable. EAB infestations in other states have devastated their ash trees. In many Texas cities, ash is an important ornamental tree in landscapes and along streets.

Spread of the pest. EAB populations can spread 20 km (12 mi) a year naturally. However, it is artificially spread much longer distances by transport of firewood and other infested wood products that contain ash bark, which allows EAB to reach new areas and create satellite populations. Prevention of the movement of infested firewood is a critical tool in impeding the spread of this highly destructive pest. Campers are strongly advised not to transport firewood, but to buy it locally, where they plan to use it.

EMERALD ASH BORER QUARANTINE

QUARANTINE REGULATIONS

With the goal of containing and managing Emerald Ash Borer infestations, the department has adopted (Title 4, Chapter 19, Subchapter Z, §§19.700-19.703).

CLICK HERE to view TDA's Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine regulations, (Title 4, Chapter 19, Subchapter Z, §§19.700-19.703). 

QUARANTINED AREAS

Per Rule §19.701, the following counties in Texas are subject to the quarantine: Bowie, Bosque, Camp, Cass, Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Franklin, Grayson, Harrison, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Johnson, Lamar, Marion, McLennan, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Red River, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise.

CLICK HERE to view Map of Texas Emerald Ash Borer Quarantined Area. 

     
REGULATORY TREATMENTS

CLICK HERE for the list of TDA mitigation and treatment measures for the movement of EAB regulated articles from the quarantined areas. 

 

2024 CHRONOLOGY

07/09/2024. The Ellis County Quarantined Area is hereby established. Detection of EAB adult specimens from the traps in Ellis County, expanded the quarantined areas to include Ellis with Bowie, Bosque, Cass, Camp, Cooke, Collin Dallas, Denton, Franklin, Grayson, Harrison, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Johnson, Marion, McLennan, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Red River, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.

06/12/2024. The Bosque County Quarantined Area is hereby established. Detection of EAB adult specimens from the traps in Bosque County, expanded the quarantined areas to include Bosque with Bowie, Cass, Camp, Cooke,Collin Dallas, Denton, Franklin, Grayson, Harrison, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Johnson, Marion, McLennan, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Red River, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.

05/30/2024. The Collin, Johnson and Red River County Quarantined Areas are hereby established. Detection of EAB adult specimens from the traps in Collin, Johnson and Red River Counties, expanded the quarantined areas to include Collin, Johnson and Red River County with Bowie, Cass, Camp, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Franklin, Grayson, Harrison, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Marion, McLennan, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.

05/25/2024. The Franklin County Quarantined Area is hereby established. Detection of EAB adult specimens from the traps in Franklin County, expanded the quarantined areas to include Franklin County with Bowie, Cass, Camp, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, Harrison, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Marion, McLennan, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.

05/10/2024. The Grayson and McLennan County Quarantined Areas are hereby established. Detection of EAB adult specimens from the traps in Grayson and McLennan Counties, expanded the quarantined areas to include Grayson and McLennan Counties with Bowie, Cass, Camp, Cooke, Dallas Denton, Harrison, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Marion, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.

05/07/2024. The Hood County Quarantined Area is hereby established. Detection of EAB adult specimens from the traps in Hood County, expanded the quarantined areas to include Hood County with Bowie, Cass, Camp, Cooke, Dallas Denton, Harrison, Hill, Hopkins, Marion, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.

05/1/2024. The Hill and Palo Pinto County Quarantined Areas are hereby established. Detection of EAB adult specimens from the traps in Hill and Palo Pinto Counties, expanded the quarantined areas to include Hill and Palo Pinto Counties with Bowie, Cass, Camp, Cooke, Dallas Denton, Harrison, Hopkins, Marion, Morris, Parker, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.