Native Borers And Emerald Ash Borer Look Alikes
E x t e n s i o n B u l l e t i n E - 2 9 3 9
N e w , F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 5
Native Borers and Emerald Ash Borer Look-alikes
Native Ash Borers
A
B
C
D
D.G. Nielsen, Ohio State University/OARDC
J. Solomon, USDA Forest Service www.forestryimages.com
D. Herms, Ohio State University/OARDC
E
F
G
D. Herms, Ohio State University/OARDC
D. Herms, Ohio State University/OARDC
D. Herms, Ohio State University/OARDC
Native ash borers are North American insects that tunnel under
H
I
the bark of ash trees, sometimes causing enough damage to seri-
ously weaken trees.
These two borers attack healthy ash trees:
Banded ash clearwing, Podosesia aureocincta; adult (Fig. A),
larva (Fig. B).
Ash/lilac borer, Podosesia syringae; adult (Fig. C).
• Wasp-mimicking moths that feed on xylem of ash trees.
• Larvae are round with legs and expel frass from tree (Fig. D).
J. Solomon, USDA Forest Service
Csoka, Hungary For Res Inst.,
• Round exit hole (1/4 inch); pupal case exposed in exit hole
www.forestryimages.com
www.forestryimages.com
upon emergence (Fig. E).
J
These three borers attack stressed or dying ash trees:
Redheaded ash borer, Neoclytus acuminatus;
adult (Fig. F), larva (Fig. G).
Banded ash borer, Neoclytus caprea; adult (Fig. H).
Emerald
• Longhorned beetles (roundheaded borers) that attack stressed
Ash Borer
ash trees, but also colonize elm, hickory, oak, linden and
others.
MICHIGAN STATE
U N I V E R S I T Y
• Larvae tunnel deep into xylem (Fig. I) and adults emerge from
round-oval exit holes measuring 1/4 inch (Fig. J).
EXTENSION
J. Solomon, USDA Forest Service
www.forestryimages.com
N a t i v e B o r e r s a n d E m e r a l d A s h B o r e r L o o k - a l i k e s
Native Borers (continued)
Eastern ash bark beetle,
K
L
M
Hylesinus aculeatus; adult
(Fig. K).
• Cylindrical bark beetle that
forms galleries beneath the bark
of ash trees (Fig. L).
• Infested trees peppered with
tiny, round exit holes measuring
approximately 1/16 inch
(Fig. M).
J. Solomon, USDA Forest Service
J. Solomon, USDA Forest Service
www.forestryimages.com
www.forestryimages.com
J. Solomon, USDA Forest Service
www.forestryimages.com
Emerald Ash Borer Look-alikes
The following insects are common to Michigan and could possibly be confused with emerald ash borer.
N
O
P
Michigan State University
University of Arkansas
Michigan State University
Q
R
• Six-spotted tiger beetle, Cicindela sexguttata; adult
measures 1/2 inch long (Fig. N).
• Caterpillar hunter, Calosoma scrutator; adult measures
1 inch long (Fig. O).
• Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica; adult measures
slightly less than 1/2 inch long (Fig. P).
• Bronze birch borer, Agrilus anxius; adult measures
approximately 1/2 inch long (Fig. Q).
• Two-lined chestnut borer, Agrilus bilineatus; adult
measures approximately 1/2 inch long
(Fig. R).
• Several other uncommon metallic wood-boring beetles.
J. Zablotny, USDA APHIS PPQ
J. Zablotny, USDA APHIS PPQ
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