Emerald Ash Borer Monitoring Program
A prism trap hanging in an ash tree. Seen nearby are two signs with information about the trap’s purpose. Photo by NBISC.
The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), commonly referred to as EAB, has been a problem for our province since its arrival in Edmundston in 2018. This invasive insect has rapidly spread to cities to Moncton, Oromocto, and Fredericton, where it has begun to cause substantial damage to local ash tree populations. EAB specifically targets the cambium layer of the bark, which is vital for transporting nutrients throughout the tree. The invasion of this pest has led to a notable decline in ash trees, with some areas experiencing heavy mortality.
The impact of EAB infestation on ash trees is severe, with affected trees typically experiencing significant decline within 1-2 years and a staggering 99% mortality rate within 8-10 years following infestation (CFIA, 2021). Infected trees are often disfigured, with missing bark and leafless branches, ultimately leading to the tree's death. This results in large amounts of standing deadwood, particularly in areas with dense ash populations. The presence of deadwood poses safety hazards and creates unsightly landscapes, especially in urban areas where removal can be costly and challenging. Furthermore, the loss of ash trees disrupts local biodiversity and natural habitats, altering the forest ecosystem. Other species (sometimes invasive) will compete to fill the ecological niche left by ash.
Emerald Ash Borer Trapping Program
The Kennebacasis Watershed Restoration Committee installing a prism trap.
To monitor the spread of EAB, the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council has been working with government agencies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), municipalities, and other non-profit organizations to install prism traps to monitor for the presence of EAB. These traps are suspended from trees and baited with the scent of Ash trees and female EAB pheromones, which attracts the insects where they are subsequently caught on the sticky exterior coating of the trap. The goal of the traps is not to capture all the EAB, but rather to passively monitor for their presence so that we can better understand their spread and population density within and outside of CFIA’s regulated areas.
There are a few factors that are considered when deciding where to place a prism trap, including:
The presence and density of ash trees in the area
The significance of the stand of ash trees (ex: cultural and ecological significance), particularly Black Ash trees
The distance to known EAB infestations
What can you do?
You can contribute to EAB monitoring by checking ash trees on your property and in your area for signs of stress, which could indicate the presence of EAG. These signs include:
Crown dieback: the top of the tree or branches are missing leaves when they would typically be present (late spring and summer).
Blonding: the outmost layer of bark becomes damaged as woodpeckers attempt to access the larvae within the tree.
Epicormic shoots: young shoots from the tree appearing at the base or lower half of the tree trunk.
D-shaped exit holes: these are the exit holes made by the adult EABs as they exit the ash tree.
If you suspect that your ash tree could be infested with EAB, contact the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council and CFIA at the information below.
Report Emerald Ash Borer Sightings or Damage
When reporting sightings, we recommend that you have the following information:
Your name
Location of the sightings (ideally with GPS points)
Details such as identifying features or tree damage
Photos and videos (when possible)
If your sighting is outside of the Canadian Food Inspections Agency’s regulated areas (see this map), please contact CFIA:
https://active.inspection.gc.ca/netapp/contactus/contactuse.aspx
For sightings inside the regulated areas or if you need identification assistance, please contact the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council:
Phone: (506) 452-6907
Email: report@nbinvasives.ca