State and federal agriculture officials confirmed Wednesday that the invasive emerald ash borer has been found in Vancouver, marking the pest’s arrival in Washi
State and federal agriculture officials confirmed Wednesday that the invasive emerald ash borer has been found in Vancouver, marking the pest’s arrival in Washington state.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the specimen on Wednesday.
Two residents spotted the metallic green beetle on their windshield Aug. 3, collected it and reported it to the Washington State Invasive Species Council.
“We anticipated it would only be a matter of time before emerald ash borer arrived in our state,” WSDA Pest Program Manager Sven Spichiger said.
Emerald ash borer, native to eastern Asia, has killed more than 100 million ash trees nationwide since it was first detected in Michigan two decades ago.
All true ash species are vulnerable, including Oregon ash, the Pacific Northwest’s only native ash.
A Washington Department of Natural Resources analysis found municipalities could lose 90% to 100% of their ash trees within 10 to 12 years of an initial infestation without management.
Officials said there has never been a successful effort to eradicate the pest and urged land managers and homeowners to stop planting ash trees.
Limiting firewood transportation and replacing affected trees with non-ash species can help slow its spread.
A state firewood quarantine aimed at preventing the spread of invasive insects and diseases took effect Tuesday.
Residents are urged to report suspected emerald ash borer sightings to the Washington State Invasive Species Council.
