New invasive species arrives in Minnesota

Emerald Ash Borer

The arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer, a destructive non-native invasive species, has been confirmed in Minnesota for the first time. The insect kills Ash trees when its larvae burrow under the bark, some experts have predicted that its spread could have impacts on Ash trees similar to the devastation on Elm trees caused by Dutch Elm Disease.

The Borer is primarily spread when humans move firewood from location to location. To protect the Boundary Waters ecosystem, firewood should be acquired locally and never transported from home or anywhere else out of the area. Minnesota has an estimated 900 million Ash trees.

The Emerald Ash Borer could have a significant impact in the Boundary Waters ecosystem. While White Ash trees are common in the southern part of the state, they generally occur as single trees as part of a diverse forest. In contrast, while Ash is not too common in the Quetico-Superior ecosystem, where it does exist it often makes up whole stands of forest. An infestation of Emerald Ash Borers could wipe out entire stands, instead of a single tree. (Thanks to Superior National Forest Plant Ecologist Jack Greenlee for this information.)

Check out the video below from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for more information:

The Dept. of Agriculture has a very informative and useful website dedicated to the Emerald Ash Borer.