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Inspecting for Emerald Ash Borer: Learn the EAB Life Cycles

By Stein Tree
Posted on April 28, 2021

Spring is here again, and Stein reminds residents that inspecting for emerald ash borer  (EAB) is essential for Pennsylvania and Delaware residents, especially if you have ash or fringe trees in your yard. A professional knows just what to look for, but homeowners should proactively inspect their trees for signs of illness or infestation throughout the year.

Unsure what to look for? Well, the signs of emerald ash borer infestations could vary from season to season based on the emerald ash borer lifecycle. However, once the damage has occurred, you should be able to see the evidence. The emerald ash borer has three distinct life cycle phases. Stein Tree offers a look at the three seasonal stages

Emerald Ash Borer Life Phases

A key part of inspecting for emerald ash borer involves understanding and identifying the pest’s distinct life phases. Depending on the season, emerald ash borer will be in different life cycle stages, and inspecting and treatment at each stage is different. To help you better understand what to look for, below is some information on the various life phases of emerald ash borer beetle.

Spring

Adults emerge from winter slumber in the spring, about ½ an inch long. Their exit leaves D-shaped holes in the bark of the tree. The adult beetles begin consuming the canopy leaves, which could start to show signs of thinning.

Summer

During warm summer months, the emerald ash borer mates and lays eggs between the layers of the outer bark and the infested tree’s crevices. The eggs hatch within about two weeks, and the larvae begin tunneling through the bark. As the larvae tunnel throughout the tree, they feed on the phloem, the tissue that conducts nutrients to all parts of the tree.

Winter

Fully grown larvae spend the winter wrapped in a pupation cell before emerging as adults in spring. Younger larvae spend the winter months feeding in galleries within the tree. The galleries are among the most destructive aspects of the emerald ash borer’s impact and eventually lead to the tree’s death due to lack of ability to circulate nutrients and water.

The emerald ash borer has been devastating to the United States’ ash tree population as an invasive species. In order to protect our trees, we need to be aware of the signs of infestation, do regular inspections for infestation and general tree health, and take corrective measures when necessary.  Certified arborists like those at Stein Tree Service are trained to know the signs, and we are certified to treat emerald ash borer.

Call Stein Tree Service for Emerald Ash Borer Treatment in Delaware and Pennsylvania

The treatment of emerald ash borer is regulated, and companies must be certified to perform the treatment. Stein Tree Service is licensed for inspecting for emerald ash borer and providing appropriate treatment in Delaware and Pennsylvania. We are also certified to work in areas that are under spotted lanternfly quarantine. Our professional tree care specialists are passionate about helping trees thrive.  Contact us today for information about our tree care services or to schedule a free consultation.

Inspect for Emerald Ash Borer Lifecycle and History - Stein Tree Service
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