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What are exotic species?

An introduced, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native 

species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its 

native distributional range, which has arrived there by human 

activity, either deliberate or accidental.

How do exotic species affect the environment?

A species is invasive when it is both nonnative to the ecosystem in 

which it is found and capable of causing environmental, economic, or 

human harm. Invasive species often compete so successfully in new 

ecosystems that they displace native species and disrupt important 

ecosystem processes.

-How does Emerald Ash Borer 

affect the environment?

Effects of emerald ash borer may be 

similar to those of chestnut blight or 

Dutch elm disease. 

Invasive plant species may be 

facilitated by the increased light 

levels, allowing the plants to colonize 

new areas, grow rapidly, and 

reproduce.   Native herbaceous plants 

may be impacted by the loss of the 

ash trees and the responses of other 

vegetation.   Soil properties may 

change due to the disappearance of 

ash, a calcium accumulator. 

Emerald Ash Borer Characterstics

-Can thrive in any environment where Ash trees exist

-Have no natural predators in North America

-Beetles may be moved in dead trees quite easily

-Chemical and biological methods are best possible chance to eradicate 

Emerald Ash Borer but full eradication is highly unlikely

-As much as 21 species of Emerald Ash Borer in North America

How can one identify an Emerald Ash Borer?

-Bright, metallic, emerald, green color overall

-Coloration may also have variable amounts of brassy, coppery or 

reddish reflections, especially on the pronotum and ventral surfaces. 

-Length: <10.0–13.0 mm

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Where did it come from?

The natural 

range of 

Agrilus 

planipennis, 

or the 

emerald ash 

borer, is 

eastern 

Russia, 

northern 

China, Japan, 

and Korea. 

Before June of 

2002, it had 

never been 

found in North 

America.

How did it get here?

-It is unknown for sure, but it most likely came in ash wood used 

for stabilizing cargo in ships or for packing or crating heavy 

consumer products.

Current Issues

EAB is becoming an international problem, with infestations in Canada as 

well as Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, 

Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West 

Virginia, and Wisconsin. The scope of this problem could reach the billions 

of dollars nationwide if not dealt with. State and federal agencies have 

made this problem a priority. Homeowners can also help by carefully 

monitoring their ash trees for signs and symptoms of EAB throughout the 

year.

Solutions to the problem

Many agencies and universities are working together to educate citizens 

about identification of ash trees and EAB and options for protecting 

valuable shade trees. State and federal agencies have programs in place to 

help restore the urban forest in cities that sustained heavy EAB damage. 

Research is underway to learn more about the biology of EAB, its rate of 

spread, methods for EAB detection, predators and other natural enemies 

that may attack EAB, and how insecticides can be used to protect trees in 

infested areas.

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