First Signs of Emerald Ash Borer Damage Observed at White Memorial

Emerald ash borer is a highly invasive insect that was introduced from Asia and was first detected at White Memorial in 2014.  White Memorial staff and volunteers utilized a variety of surveillance programs starting in 2012 including Cerceris wasp biosurveillance, double-decker purple prism traps, and encouraging USDA and UCONN to install canopy purple prism traps throughout the property.  We observed our first signs of Emerald Ash Borer damage on the property during the winter of 2016 and 2017.  The damage is caused by woodpeckers picking at the bark of ash trees exposing the lighter-colored underbark to acquire EAB larvae living under the bark.  This pattern is commonly referred to as "blonding".  Blonding is often observed in the canopy of the trees first since that is where the adults often lay their eggs and where the larvae start to feed under the bark.  We often see blonding along the southern aspect of the tree trunk which is likely the preferred location for adults to lay their eggs so that larvae develop faster on the warmer side of the tree.

White ash (Fraxinus americanus) blonding caused by woodpeckers searching
for Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) larvae.

Blonding can be observed along the entire length of the tree trunk, from canopy to ground.

Close-up view of white ash tree blonding.

Close-up view of Emerald Ash Borer exit hole (D-shaped hole) which is evidence of adults emerging from this tree.

Emerald Ash Borer -- Early Detection Grant Awarded From Seherr-Thoss Foundations

Connecticut Towns where EAB was initially detected in 2012 (circle)
and location of White Memorial (square).  

We are pleased to announce that we were awarded monies that will be used for the construction of 15 double-decker purple prism traps over the next two summer seasons (2013-14) from the Seherr-Thoss Foundations.  These traps are used to detect Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that attacks ash trees and was recently documented in 5 Connecticut towns for the first time in July 2012.  These traps differ slightly in design from the canopy traps that have been deployed throughout the state but have been recently documented to be more effective at finer scale surveillance projects.  The traps will be deployed throughout White Memorial's property and will add to the effective detection of EAB that the state employs on the property.  In previous seasons, the statewide surveillance project deployed traps throughout the property and girdled ash trees near the campground.  White Memorial has also incorporated the used of Cerceris Wasps as bio-surveillance tool at a total of 4 colonies.  To date, EAB has not been detected at White Memorial but since the state is considered colonized, we wait for the eventual colonization of EAB throughout the state.