If you have wondered why purple, three-sided traps resembling a box kite are hanging in ash trees around Windham County and the rest of Vermont, they are part of a surveillance program undertaken by federal and state agencies.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture are partnering to survey for emerald ash borer (EAB), a non-native, wood-boring beetle that has killed tens of millions of ash trees in the eastern United States and Canada.
Traps have been placed in ash trees in all counties, and at high risk sites such as campgrounds, sawmills, recreational areas, major transportation arteries, etc.
To date, EAB has not been detected in Vermont. The emerald ash borer is a native to China and eastern Asia, and probably arrived in North America hidden in wood packing materials commonly used to ship consumer and other goods. It was first detected in the United States in July 2002 in southeastern Michigan.
EAB attacks only ash trees, and all the ash species - including green, white, black, and blue - are at risk. EAB kills stressed and healthy trees, and is so aggressive that ash trees may die within two or three years after they become infested. EAB larvae tunnel under the bark to feed in the phloem and outer sapwood producing galleries that eventually kill the tree.
The purple traps are coated with an adhesive that captures the insects when they land and are baited with a lure to attract the pest if it is present. In addition, the color is thought to be attractive to EAB, and is relatively easy for humans to spot among the foliage.
“The traps being placed around Vermont will help us discover if we have EAB in Vermont early on which allows us to address this invasive pest immediately,” said Vermont State Entomologist Jon Turmel. “Early detection is the best tool we have to fight EAB. The ash tree is a very important natural resource in our state, and we want to do everything we can to protect our trees.”
“The triangular purple traps do not pose a risk to humans, pets, or wildlife; however, the non-toxic glue can be extremely sticky,” said USDA State Plant Health Director Mark Michaelis. “We want people to understand that the traps don't attract or pull beetles into an area, but rather they are a detection tool to help find EAB if it is present in the area.”
These traps will be monitored and remain in place throughout the summer during the beetles' flight season. The traps will be monitored throughout the summer and removed in the fall. Results from the trapping will be available once the traps are removed.
If you see a purple trap on the ground, call the USDA's toll-free EAB hotline at 866-322-4512. The EAB hotline is staffed during regular business hours and a message may be left at any time. Callers are asked to include a name and telephone number. For additional information on EAB, visit www.purpleEABsurvey.info.