TEXAS (KAUZ) – Texas A&M Forest Service has confirmed that the invasive insect, Emerald Ash Borer, has spread to five additional counties, bringing the total to eight new counties confirmed this year.
The Forest Service has now confirmed the invasive insect in Delta, Erath, Hardin, Walker and Wood counties.
Earlier this year, the Emerald Ash Borer was detected in Young, Clay and Montague counties.
The Texas A&M Forest Service shares that the detections were made through their statewide monitoring program, which uses purple traps to identify new infestations and track the insect’s movement across the state.
“As the current southernmost boundary for this insect in the U.S., Hardin County signals a clear message: where ash trees extend south, this pest has been able to follow.”
Emerald ash borer is an invasive wood-boring beetle responsible for the death of hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America.
Since its first detection in Texas in 2016, the insect has continued to expand its range, threatening all 16 native ash species in both urban and forested environments.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said that although Emerald Ash Borer can spread naturally, human movement of infested firewood, logs, and other ash wood products can accelerate its expansion.
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