Arbor Care Tree Service Banner Arbor Care Tree Service Logo
Woolly Adelgid
Adult Borer
Emerald Ash Borer
Stem Damage
Emerald Ash Borer
Mass. Map
Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer


The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a non-native, invasive insect that was first discovered in North America in 2002. It is native to eastern Russia, northern China, Japan, and Korea. EAB utilize ash (Fraxinus spp.) as their primary hosts. In Massachusetts, the primary host trees are white ash (Fraxinus americana), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), and black (or brown) ash (Fraxinus nigra).

Arbor Care employs a number of different methods of controlling the Emerald Ash Borer. Some control options are micro-trunk injection, and soil systemics, all of which are performed with little to no impact on the environment. Choosing the proper method of control will require site inspection by one of our arborists. Please call our office if you believe your ash trees may be infested or simply to implement a preventive maintenance program.
Arbor Care uses only non-toxic products for control of these pests. Applications start early sspring. Call now for a free estimate!!!
Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer - Life Cycle
Like all beetles, the emerald ash borer undergoes complete metamorphosis (is holometabolous) with four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adults are a dark green metallic color and approximately ½ inch long. They are the only Agrilus species in North America known to have a bright metallic coppery-red (may also appear purple) dorsal surface of their abdomen. (The wings must be lifted to see that feature.) Larvae are white, 1 to 1.25 inches long at maturity, have a small brown head, a pair of brown pincers at the end of the abdomen, and have bell-shaped abdominal segments. The fourth instar larvae overwinter in a pre-pupal stage in a J-shaped position. Pupae are present in the spring and look like cream-colored adults that begin to darken as they develop. The larval and pupal stages are found beneath the bark of their host trees, as the larvae feed on the nutrient and water conducting tissues of the plant. Adults emerge in May and June and mate and lay tiny, flat, oval shaped eggs that are initially whitish-yellow in color and turn reddish-brown as they develop. Eggs are difficult to see as they are approximately 1/32 of an inch and laid in cracks and crevices of the bark. On average, females can lay 55 eggs in their lifetime, but some have been observed laying more than 150 eggs. Adult emergence creates D-shaped exit holes in the bark.
(University of Massachusetts)


Expert tree work, tree removal, tree pruning, tree trimming, tree spraying & tree care.

Service Locations: Arlington MA | Belmont MA | Winchester MA | Reading MA | Melrose MA | Stoneham MA | Lexington MA | Wakefield MA | Medford MA

11 Fowle Street,
WoburnMA 01801
Tel: 781-648-1100   Fax: 781-935-0373


Contact Arbor Care Tree Service