The adult Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is usually bronze or golden green in color with darker, metallic emerald green wing covers. Males are larger than females but the adult insect is generally about half the diameter of a penny.

Detection of the Emerald Ash Borer infesting a tree can take up to a year before there are any signs of damage. A tree that has been infested for at least a year will have D-shaped exit holes present on the branches and the trunk left by emerging adult borers.

Prolonged infestation will cause a tree to die from the top.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (along with 20 or so other local, state, and federal agencies) are hoping to control and eliminate the Emerald Ash Borer insect within the borders of Illinois. Illinois residents who detect possible signs of infestation can help in the effort to eliminate this problem by contacting the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Hotline (800) 641-3934.

You may also email the Illinois Department of Agriculture with your contact information, some digital photos of the tree and close-ups of the symptoms it is exhibiting.

More Information regarding the Emerald Ash Borer may be found at the following websites: