treevet

Just received June 08 Arborage mag. with article about EAB that threatens to wipe the genus Fraxinus from the continent and already is reaching 50 million ash killed. David L. Roberts, PHD discusses how Emerald Ash Borer was originally diagnosed as "Ash Yellows", a phytoplasma or bacteria-like microorganism. Chlorotic foliage, epicormic shoots on trunk, followed by D shaped exit holes (that were also misdiagnosed as Two Lined Chestnut Borer or TLCB) all led to this error.

Roberts began this research project in June 2001 with only private research funding. Though not an entomologist he proved through DNA detection technology that it was not Ash Yellows at cause. Then Agrilus Plannipennis was observed by him and identified as opposed to TLCB and having no common name here coming from Asia, they named it Emerald Ash Borer.

Containment/eradication plans have not fared well. The 1" chip reduction edict left many survivors and this hastened rather than slowed the spread.
Types of research (destructive research) and faulty assumptions have added to wrong steps. Also understatements as to the efficaciousness of treatment by government and media fostered the misperception that EAB is a 100% death sentence. They also extrapolated from the "forest fire" analogy that with cutting and 1" chipping they could stop the fire/infestation when it burns itself out with nothing to fuel the fire. They were wrong again. People are the main vector in movement and you can tell by the "forest fires" all down the interstate highways.

There are treatment success stories if the money spent is ok in regards to the results as judged by the spender. But don't expect the spending to stop soon if ever. Part II is coming next month in Arborage.