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The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) assisted the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS) with the release of two different biological control agents at Cacapon State Park in Morgan County and near Thurmond in Fayette County to reduce Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) populations. These parasitic insects, called parasitoids, were discovered in China and have been studied and reared for release in the United States.
The parasitoids attack only EAB and will not harm humans, pets or other animals. Once they become established, they are expected to suppress EAB populations to a point where ash trees can survive EAB infestations. The first field releases of these parasitoids occurred in Michigan in 2007.
The parasitoids attack the larval stage of EAB. Oobius agrili, another EAB parasitoid, attacks EAB eggs and will be released in the near future.
“These parasitoid releases will be a management tool for reducing EAB populations once they become established. We support the USDA’s efforts to protect ash trees throughout the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Gus R. Douglass.
Spathius agrili is known to parasitize up to 90 percent of EAB larvae in China while Tetrastichus planipennisi has a parasitism rate of up to 50 percent. Oobius agrili can kill up to 60 percent of EAB eggs produced during the summer.
The emerald ash borer (EAB) attacks only ash trees. It is believed to have been introduced into the Detroit, Mich., area 15-20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia. Since then, the destructive insect has been found in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Anyone with questions about EAB can contact the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division at 304-558-2212, or visit www.emeraldashborer.info.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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