The emerald ash borer is a -inch-long metallic green beetle native to eastern Asia. It hitched a ride to our shores in wooden packing crates and pallets from China and was discovered in Michigan 10 years ago. Since then it has spread into 15 states in the Northeast, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic, feasting on ash trees wherever it likes.

In early spring, adults climb to the crown of their chosen host trees and modestly nibble on the leaves--no problem, yet. By mid-summer, the adults mate and the female crawls down the trunk of the tree, laying 30 to 60 eggs (possibly up to 200) in bark crevasses as she goes. Within seven to 10 days the eggs hatch into small larvae, which burrow through the bark into the cambium and phloem tissue of the tree.

This is where the damage beings. The small larvae tunnel upward in the "inner bark" portion of the tree creating serpentine shaped tunnels that get bigger as the larvae grow.

For a tree, this is like cutting the jugular vein. The cambium and phloem are the living portion of the tree responsible for cell division and flow of sugars and nutrients. By late fall the larvae begin transformation into pupae and overwinter just beneath the bark. Each emerald ash borer pupa transforms into an adult in early spring and cuts a perfect "D" shaped emergence hole in the bark of the tree, and starts its climb.

Ash trees can be very valuable for timber, shade, wildlife, aesthetics and more. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, the value of ash statewide is $170 million. Owners of forest land have very little recourse in saving ash trees within their stands, as methods for widespread treatment have yet to be developed.

Fortunately for most such land owners, ash trees are a small component of a typical hardwood forest in this part of the state. Homeowners, however, can pre-treat ash trees if they desire. In most cases, by the time damage is obvious to the casual observer, it's too late to treat the tree with the prospect of saving it. Most insecticides labeled for emerald ash borer purposes are restricted-use products requiring a license to apply.

Homeowners would be wise to give this decision careful consideration. Information about this and related issues is available at emeraldashborer.info.

Finally, if you have ash trees you suspect may be suffering from emerald ash borer, please contact your local Extension Office of Virginia Department of Forestry to identify and assess the damage. It's important to know where these beetles are to plan a counter attack wisely.

Lastly, the most important message with this and other tree pests is this: Don't move firewood! Check out this video for a compelling message: "A lot of mouths to feed," at hungrypests.com.