Emerald Ash Borer Beatle

Two Western New York Counties Quarantined After Ash Borer Beetle Discovered

by Beth Jones

Cattaraugus and Chittaqua counties in western New York are now under quarantine after the the destructive Emerald Ash Borer Beetle was discovered there. Under the quarantine, the movement of certain wood products, like firewood, is restricted and no crossing of these county lines in or out with wood products is permitted. The Emerald Ash Borer destroys Ash trees, which constitute close to ten percent of all trees in New York State. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Diane Carlton says a large-scale infestation could be devastating. "You're looking at affecting a very large industry in New York State, from furniture to the creation of wood products to loggers, big big phenomenon." She says even baseball in New York State could be affected, since ash trees are often used to produce baseball bats. The Ash Borer is not the only exotic pest to invade the United States recently. The Cyrus Wood Wasp has taken root in Massachusetts, but only a couple hundred miles from the New York State border, and the Asian Longhorn beetle has also surfaced. Carlton says a lack of manpower in the inspection of internationally-used shipping containers is big factor in these pests crossing borders.