Forest health professionals with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) advise Missourians to watch for damage from an invasive tree pest during winter months. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a small, metallic green beetle native to Asia that reportedly attacks and kills ash trees.
EAB attacks all species of ash trees, and kills nearly every tree it infests. The destructive insect has been confirmed in 42 Missouri counties, including Ray County in the KMMO listening area, and is suspected to be present in several more locations.
Missourians are encouraged to keep an eye out for bark blonding on ash trees. Bark blonding is caused by woodpeckers removing a tree’s outer bark while searching for insect larvae.
MDC encourages Missourians to help prevent the spread of this destructive pest by learning to identify signs of EAB and reporting possible infestations in counties where EAB has not yet been confirmed. For more information on insecticide treatments for ash trees, consult the Emerald Ash Borer Management Guide for Missouri Homeowners at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZSq.
You are urged to report suspected EAB damage in new counties to a local MDC forester, call MDC’s Forest Pest Hotline at (866) 716-9974 or e-mail forest.health@mdc.mo.gov.

Picture of some blonding on ash trees provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.