Emerald ash borer confirmed in four more North Texas counties

Following its discovery last month in Dallas’ Great Trinity Forest, the invasive emerald ash borer beetle has now been confirmed in four additional North Texas counties.

On Monday, the Texas A&M Forest Service confirmed that beetle samples collected in Collin, Franklin, Johnson, and Red River counties in May were all verified by the USDA Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to be the emerald ash borer.

This non-native beetle, characterized by its small green appearance, poses a significant threat to ash tree populations by boring into the bark to lay eggs. The larvae subsequently feed on the tree’s water-conducting tissue, leading to the gradual demise of the tree.

In response to the presence of the emerald ash borer, the Texas Department of Agriculture implements a quarantine in affected counties, restricting the movement of woody ash material to prevent further spread. This quarantine also applies to other previously confirmed counties such as Dallas, Denton, Parker, and Tarrant.

Since both healthy and stressed ash trees are vulnerable to EAB attacks, early detection is crucial. However, there is currently no known method to halt the spread of EAB. The Texas A&M Forest Service emphasizes proactive measures such as diversifying tree species and enhancing the health and resilience of urban forests to minimize loss.

The emerald ash borer was potentially first identified in North Texas in 2018 by a 10-year-old boy in Tarrant County, whose photo of the insect led to its recognition by scientists. Since its initial detection in Texas in 2016, the beetle has continued to spread, causing widespread damage to ash trees across the United States.

Residents are encouraged to report sightings of the emerald ash borer by calling the EAB Hotline at 1-866-322-4512.