The Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a small, green beetle that belongs to a large family of beetles known as the buprestids, or metallic wood-boring beetles. The description is apt, as many of the adult buprestids are indeed glossy, appearing as if their wing covers are made of polished metal. The emerald ash borer, with its green, iridescent wing covers, fits right in. Adult EABs are relatively slender and between 0.3 to 0.55 inches in length - small by most standards but large compared to other buprestids.

During its life cycle, EAB undergoes a complete metamorphosis. It starts as an egg, becomes a larva (alternatively called a grub), changes to become a pupa, and then is an adult. The life cycle of an EAB takes either 1 or 2 years to complete. Adults begin emerging from within ash trees around the middle of June. Emergence continues for about 5 weeks. The female starts laying her eggs on the bark of ash trees about 2 weeks after she emerges. After 7 to 10 days, the eggs hatch, and…