Green bug

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Backwoods Savage

Minister of Fire
Feb 14, 2007
27,811
Michigan
Believe it or not, we've been cutting white ash since 2002. Today while loading wood onto a neighbor's trailer, his wife happened to notice this bright green bug. This is the first time I've seen one except for in pictures. The emerald ash borer I believe. Very small so I took a close up of it too.

btw, this wood was cut during the winter of 2009-2010 so we now know for sure they can be in the wood that is cut and stacked. This is why most states have quarantined most areas to attempt to keep the spread down, or at least delay it a bit.
Emerald Ash Borer-1.JPG Emerald Ash Borer.JPG
 
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Was it alive when you saw it? Looks like it's out of place where you found him.
 
Not alive. Just found it today. I'd say it was probably in the wood when it was stacked back in 2010. If so, it kept well.
 
Thanks Dennis for posting that one. I hope you dont mind if I pass the pic on to neighbors and such. They are heading our way.
The box traps are up to monitor their migrations.
I believe Ulster county here in NY is getting hit real bad.
 
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Those buggers made their presence known in Mass this year, so far they're in the Berkshires but I assume they'll move east.
 
I only wish there was a way to make billions of them just as dead. On a couple walks lately, all I can "see" anymore are dead and dying ash trees.
 
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I only wish there was a way to make billions of them just as dead. On a couple walks lately, all I can "see" anymore are dead and dying ash trees.
Savage,

Did you happen to find any fine brown powder near that butt? When I moved my ash stacks last week, I found alot of this fine brown powder. I have not heard of any reports of the emerald ash borer in my area (yet).

Bruce
 
I'm in SE Mass and I have had some rounds in my stacks that have the little bugger in them. My grapple loads come from Lexington, so anything in and around that area may have come to me in last years load.
 
My grapple loads come from Billerica...next door to Lexington....Bummer.
 
Savage,

Did you happen to find any fine brown powder near that butt? When I moved my ash stacks last week, I found alot of this fine brown powder. I have not heard of any reports of the emerald ash borer in my area (yet).

Bruce
Dennis might say the fine powder is powderpost beetle frass. I havent read anything on EAB leaving any identifying frass. Just D shaped exit holes.
 
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Beautiful, destructive pest!:mad:


They are striking, especially in bright sunlight. I found three while playing in Lake Huron over the summer, on three different days. In the water ;hm . I smashed them all, even though they were dead.

Didn't know you had never seen one, Dennis. Makes me all fuzzy feeling, knowing I beat you to something firewood related ==c
 
Good pic Dennis. Somewhat related (it focuses on the mountain pine beetle), I just finished reading "Empire of the Beetle" by Andrew Nikiforuk. It's an amazing read and I'd recommend it highly.
 
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Thanks Dennis for posting that one. I hope you dont mind if I pass the pic on to neighbors and such. They are heading our way.
The box traps are up to monitor their migrations.
I believe Ulster county here in NY is getting hit real bad.

By all means, feel free to share those pictures. I just wish they would disappear before they get to you.
 
Savage,

Did you happen to find any fine brown powder near that butt? When I moved my ash stacks last week, I found alot of this fine brown powder. I have not heard of any reports of the emerald ash borer in my area (yet).

Bruce

No. What you see in the picture is just a split that was in the stack of wood we gave to our neighbor. As for looking for the borer, look for the evidence they leave; especially the D-shaped holes. Maybe I'll try to get a couple pictures and post them. Thought I had some but couldn't find them.
 
I don't know where the Ash are around here, but I've seen about 3 of those little bastages while stacking wood. Not on/in the wood, just hanging around.
I've only dealt with white and red Oak, Pine, Spruce, Maple, and Poplar/Aspen.
 
I don't know where the Ash are around here, but I've seen about 3 of those little bastages while stacking wood. Not on/in the wood, just hanging around.
I've only dealt with white and red Oak, Pine, Spruce, Maple, and Poplar/Aspen.
I don't know much about them. Can they survive outside of boring?
 
I don't know where the Ash are around here, but I've seen about 3 of those little bastages while stacking wood. Not on/in the wood, just hanging around.
I've only dealt with white and red Oak, Pine, Spruce, Maple, and Poplar/Aspen.

Dave, I think the best spot for finding ash would be just a tad east of Atlanta. Probably even more around Hillman.
 
Dennis It appears you certainly disproved the popular scientific consensus the bugs can stay in the wood for up to 3 years.
 
Well, these suckers can stick around well after their welcome has run out. ;)
 
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We have a few ash trees around here SE of Traverse City. I am burning some ash right now. This tree died last year along with some family and friends. Oak wilt has killed a bunch of oaks both white and red around here.
 
How about beech in your area?
 
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