60 Nebraskaland • June 2021
MIXED BAG
In 2020, emerald ash borer was found in several new
counties in Nebraska. Some of these finds were the result of
positive EAB traps, while others were infested trees reported
by sharp-eyed citizens. New EAB-infested counties included
Hall, Kearney, Seward and Washington.
EAB was first discovered in the United States in Michigan
in 2002. Nebraska's first EAB infestation was confirmed in
Omaha (Douglas County) in June 2016. An additional find
occurred in Greenwood (Cass County) later that summer. The
Nebraska Department of Agriculture enacted the Nebraska
EAB Quarantine on June 8, 2016, restricting the movement
of regulated material from Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and
Washington counties, to slow the spread of the pest across
the state. In 2018, NDA revised the Nebraska EAB quarantine
effective Nov. 1, 2018, adding Lancaster, Otoe and Saunders
counties, based on new finds.
The 2020 finds caused the state to review the EAB
quarantine and its regulatory approach. The decision was
made to rescind the state quarantine, effective Oct. 30, 2020.
This change reflected an acknowledgement that EAB is
established in much of the state and will be a long-term pest.
It also shifts resources from a regulatory to a management
approach. The U.S. Department of Agriculture lifted the
federal quarantine on Jan. 15, 2021.
NDA continues to work with the USDA and other partners
to slow the spread of EAB in Nebraska, including conducting
surveys for EAB in non-infested counties and using biocontrol
releases as a long-term management strategy. Additionally,
NDA will continue EAB education and outreach efforts to
promote the responsible disposable of ash materials and the
"Don't Move Firewood" campaign.
Moving infested firewood is one of the fastest ways
to spread plant pests, including EAB, across the state.
Nebraskans should continue to obtain firewood where you
plan to burn it, to prevent accidental introductions of plant
pests. When ash trees are cut down, use or dispose of the
wood locally to prevent the potential spread of EAB.
Citizens in uninfested counties can report suspect
infestations to NDA, the Nebraska Forest Service or UNL
Extension. For additional information, visit the Nebraska
Forest Service EAB resource page, which includes treatment
guides, at nfs.unl.edu/nebraska-emerald-ash-borer.
CHANGES TO EAB REGULATIONS
By Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
An adult emerald ash borer
(Agrilus planipennis)
DAVID CAPPAERT, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY,
BUGWOOD.ORG
