The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a small, metallic-green, wood-boring beetle that was discovered in southeast Michigan in 2002. Native to Asia, it’s believed to have been unknowingly transported to the United States in wood packing material. Since its discovery, the EAB has been detected in six other States -- Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Federal and State quarantines have been established in these States to mitigate the spread of EAB. Quarantines prohibit the movement (within the State and out of the State) of regulated articles, which include ash nursery stock, ash logs and lumber with bark, pallets, branches, stumps, etc., and all hardwood chips and firewood.

Q. What is the 2008 EAB Survey?

A. The 2008 EAB survey will be conducted in 47 States and will use approximately 60,000 detection tools or “traps” throughout the country. The EAB Survey’s goals are to identify the leading edge of known EAB infestations and to locate other outlying EAB populations.

Q. Who is involved in the 2008 EAB Survey?

A. The 2008 EAB survey initiative is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and numerous States including Michigan. In all, 47 States will survey for EAB; however, because of their differing survey objectives, not all States will employ the same trap density. The States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin will participate in a delimiting survey within a 100-mile band of known EAB infestations. These States will deploy artificial purple traps in a 1.5-mile by 1.5-mile grid where ash is found growing. The remaining States will participate in a risk-based survey where purple traps will be placed in ash trees at high-risk locations such as in campgrounds, recreational areas, saw mills, nurseries, and new commercial/residential developments.

Q. Who is paying for the cost of surveying in my State?

A. The EAB survey is funded by USDA. Each participating State has submitted a cooperative agreement and work plan to determine resources necessary to successfully complete the survey.

Q. What do the traps look like?

A. The trap is a three-dimensional triangle or prism. It’s made out of thin, corrugated, purple plastic that has been coated with non-toxic glue on all three sides. The purple prisms are about 24 inches long and hang vertically in an ash tree or are secured to the trunk of a tree. To increase the attractiveness of the trap to the beetles, it is baited with a lure (Manuka oil).

Q. Why do you call these detection tools “purple traps”? Do they really trap EAB?

A. We frequently refer to the detection tools as “purple traps” out of convenience. According to USDA, the current purple trap is the best tool available today for EAB detection.

Q. Why is the color purple significant and what is the lure?

A. For many insects, color frequently plays an important role, and EAB is no exception. In 2003, researchers began investigating EAB to develop an effective detection tool. Scientists from found that buprestids (the insect family to which EAB belongs) in general are more attracted to red and purple hues compared to other colors. Therefore, researchers initiated a study using a variety of red and purple traps to determine which trap attracted the most beetles; the purple trap achieved the best results. To improve the purple traps’ attractiveness to EAB adults, they are baited with oil from the Manuka tree. Researchers found that there are four active compounds in Manuka oil that are also produced when an ash tree is stressed. Researchers also discovered there was an EAB antennal response to these compounds. In field tests when baited traps and non-baited traps were compared, traps baited with Manuka oil attracted more beetles than traps that were not baited.

Q. Why are the purple traps only placed in ash trees?

A. Ash trees are the only host species for EAB. The lifecycle of EAB is dependent upon the ash tree; the adults feed on the leaves, lay eggs in its crevices, and the larvae develop under its bark. All ashes (green, white, black, etc.) are EAB hosts.

Q. How long will the survey take to complete?

A. The purple traps will be placed in ash trees beginning in June 2008 in the six most eastern counties of the Upper Peninsula and at specified high risk sites in the Central and Western Counties of the Upper Peninsula. Traps are placed in spring before EAB adults emerge. The traps will be monitored and remain in place throughout the summer during the beetles’ flight season and will be removed in the fall.

Q. Is the purple trap safe?

A. The purple traps pose no risk to humans, pets, or wildlife; however, the non-toxic glue can be extremely sticky and messy if touched.

Q. What should I do if I see a purple trap on the ground?

A. If you see one on the ground or damaged, please call USDA at 1-866-322-4512. If you call the USDA after regular business hours, please leave your name and phone number and someone will return your call on the next business day. In addition, you can also call the Michigan Department of Agriculture at 1-866-325-0023 to report it.

Q. How does the purple trap work?

A. During EAB adult emergence, beetles fly around ash trees, nibbling on leaves and looking for a mate. If an EAB lands on a purple trap, it will get stuck in the glue. In the fall, crews will return to trap sites to collect samples and remove the traps.

Q. What happens when an EAB is found on a purple trap?

A. The insect samples collected from the traps will be cleaned and sent to a USDA identifier for verification. All verifications of EAB will be communicated to the appropriate State plant regulatory official.

Q. If a purple trap is in my area, does that mean EAB is there?

A. Purple traps help detect EAB. A trap located in your community does not mean EAB is present; it means we are looking for the beetle. The goals of the 2008 EAB Survey are to define the leading edge of the infested area and to locate new outlying EAB infestations.

Q. What can I do to support the 2008 EAB Survey Program?

A. Please talk to your family and friends about the EAB survey to make them aware. Survey traps will be in ash trees throughout the summer; the public is being asked to please not disturb them. In addition, become familiar with the signs and symptoms associated with an EAB infestation and inspect your own trees for any indications. Lastly, don’t move firewood; buy it at your destination instead.

For more information on the 2008 National EAB Survey, please visit www.purpleeabsurvey.info.