09/15/15  Arkansas Unleashes A Wasp Against the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle

Arkansas foresters have unleashed a teeny-tiny attack team against the emerald ash borer. The invasive beetle is seen as a mortal threat to all five ash tree species in the state and possibly fringe trees too.  25 counties are under quarantine against it.  These beetles burrow around and underneath bark, killing the trees they infest within five years, sometimes faster.

Last week, Arkansas joined 21 other states in an experimental, biological counterattack using parasitic wasps.  Harmless to people, these wasps lay their eggs on the eggs of the emerald ash borer, and when the eggs hatch, wasp larvae eat the borer larvae.

Yesterday these wasps were released near Arkadelphia, McNeil and Bluff City by the Arkansas Forestry Commission, the State Plant Board and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Under a USDA protocol, more wasps will be released this fall and another round in the spring. In 2014, adult emerald ash borer showed up in sticky traps set in Columbia, Nevada, Ouachita, Clark, Hot Spring and Dallas counties.  In 2015, the borers also showed up in Bradley, Calhoun, Saline and Union counties. To report new emerald ash borer sightings or ask questions of the State Plant Board, call 501-225-1598.