Don't Move Firewood
Currently the way EAB has been spreading to new areas is by hitching a ride on firewood. On its own naturally the EAB can spread at most 1 mile a year. From Detroit where it arrived by infected shipping pallets it would have taken many years to spread on its own. But people not knowing why their tree died have cut up wood to take on camping trips or in RVs to NASCAR or to their camp. The insect larvae in the wood would live through transport and if the wood is left to sit the larvae mature and move into the closest ash tree creating a new infestation. To control the spread of EAB or other destructive insects NY and many other states and all of Canada have implemented restrictions on the transporting of firewood. This does not mean firewood is banned, it is just not permitted to be moved a long way. Infested stands of trees and the area around it are quarantined, this covers areas that firewood cut in it could have EAB larvae. This is a drastic measure implemented to halt the EAB infesting new areas. Though firewood alone is not to blame for EAB transport it is the most frequent means EAB moves by.
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Pictures taken by
Setanta O'Ceillaigh, Forestry Technician, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe - Environment Division
Bio Survey
A new method for monitoring EAB has recently been developed that incorporates a natural predator wasp. This species of wasp is Native to North America and hunts similar insects to EAB. The wasp has no stinger and is harmless to humans but loves the taste of EAB, catching them to bring back to its nest. Use of this wasp as a survey method could become more common and appears to be more effective than the box trap. Currently there is no plan for local bio survey.
2010
The new flight season of adult EAB in 2010 will also be monitored, Environment Staff will be placing traps in Akwesasne.
If you have found an insect that you think may be EAB, or would like more information on EAB please contact the Environment Office, or stop in. information on the Bug is constantly updated with research and new developments.
Environment Division>> Forestry>>EAB Monitoring - Page 2