Origin: Native of eastern Asia Impact: In infested areas, this
beetle has killed millions of ash trees and has led to major
efforts by state and local officials to limit its spread through
strict quarantines and fines for the movement of wood,
especially firewood, out of infested areas. The emerald ash
borer has not been detected in Texas to date, but its presence
has been confirmed in 13 states in the upper Midwest and
southern Canada and has been detected as far south as eastern
Missouri. Currently, surveillance traps are being deployed
throughout the eastern half of the state in an attempt to detect
this pest before it becomes established. View More Pictures
History of Introduction: The emerald ash borer (EAB) is native
to eastern Asia, and was first recognized as a pest in the U.S.
in the Detroit, Michigan area in 2002 (though it may have
entered the U.S much earlier). It was most likely brought into
the U.S. in shipping containers, packing materials, or ash wood
pallets. The EAB is only known to feed on