Emerald ash borer found in 92nd Iowa county – Iowa Capital Dispatch

A international beetle whose larvae kill ash bushes was lately found in Kossuth County, one of many few counties in Iowa not beforehand infested, in line with the Iowa Division of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

The emerald ash borer was first detected in japanese Iowa in 2010. Since then it has unfold to a complete of 92 counties.

The beetle is native to Asia and was present in Michigan in 2002. Its larvae eat the dwelling, internal bark of ash bushes and might kill them in two years. The beetles’ unfold is accelerated by folks transporting them over lengthy distances, together with by hauling infested firewood.

The detection in Kossuth is the eighth in a brand new Iowa county this 12 months. The remaining counties with no detection — principally in northwest Iowa — embrace: Emmet, Mitchell, Monona, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth and Woodbury.

Indications of a tree infestation embrace fewer leaves, sprouts from the trunk or massive branches, meandering tunnels below the bark, cut up bark, woodpecker injury and smallish D-shaped holes within the bark the place the beetles emerge.

Those that suspect an infestation can report it to IDALS at (515) 725-1470.