Iowa Prepares for Possible Emerald Ash Borers.

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Jun 16, 2009 at 4:23 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 16, 2009 at 5:33 PM CST

Elkader - An Iowa D-N-R officer's discovery of Emerald Ash Borer larva has Clayton County taking action.
Last month, the officer found the larva near Osborne Nature Center in Elkader.
The small beetle infects and kills ash trees.

The Iowa State Department of Agriculture estimates there are 88 million ash trees, like this one in Iowa.
But the future of leafy trees could soon be in jeopardy.

Iowa Department of Natural Resource Director Tivone Feeley said, "May 28th we found a single larva from a trap tree and we've done our investigating from there. "

In order to figure out what they are dealing with conservationists put purple traps on ash trees, near the Osborne Nature Center. The color purple is believed to attract the Emerald Ash Borer."

State Entomologist Robin Pruisner said, "Until we can go back out and find evidence, Emerald Ash Borer responding and living in Iowa we will not declare Iowa infested or implement quarantines."

Investigators don't expect to know for sure if the Emerald Ash Borer is officially in Iowa until the end of this summer.
In case there is a positive infestation the Iowa Department of Agriculture is telling these Iowa foresters how to best handle wood.

Pruisner said, "The movement of ash logs and all hard log firewood would be greatly regulated in the area that is under quarantines."

The Iowa DNR would also crack down on people using firewood. They plan to inspect firewood as campers arrive at campgrounds to make sure it came from Iowa and not an infected state.

Emerald Ash Borers have already killed more than 25 million ash trees in Michigan since their discovery there in 2002.

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