Emerald ash borer jumps to southern Illinois
The Associated Press
SALEM — The tree-killing emerald ash borer is continuing its march through Illinois and has reached the southern part of the state.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture said Friday the small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia has surfaced near Salem in Marion County and at an Interstate 57 rest area in Effingham County.
The beetle now has been confirmed in 20 Illinois counties.
Agriculture experts say its larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients. But the insect doesn’t pose any direct risk to public health.
The supervisor of the state’s effort to stop the spread of the beetle says detections are increasingly occurring along major highways or near key intersections. That suggests the beetle may be using transportation corridors to proliferate.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
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I found em in Fayette county the first year they claimed they were only in northern illinois ............. its too late to shut the barn door .... 8^(
Once they hit the Shawnee, there will be some major problems…...Looks like the Ash will go the way of the chestnut and american elm…..............unless they find a natural way to kill them.
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