Emerald Ash Borer (By John Obermeyer/Purdue University)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Emerald ash borer has been detected in Kosciusko County in northeastern Indiana.

The find was confirmed by an entomologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The beetles were originally detected in a purple panel trap. These traps are being used as part of a detection survey sponsored by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The traps, which are hanging in trees throughout Indiana, are lined with glue and baited with manuka oil, which attracts nearby emerald ash borers (EAB).

"This is exactly why Indiana participates in the EAB trapping program," said Purdue University entomologist Jodie Ellis. "Now we know for sure that emerald ash borer is there, and we can begin efforts to keep it from spreading beyond Kosciusko County."

The latest find was detected near Warsaw in Plain Township, which is now under quarantine. The quarantine means that no regulated ash products - including ash nursery trees, ash logs and all types of hardwood firewood - can be transported out of the township. In addition, all of Kosciusko County also is under quarantine; ash products may move within the county, but not outside.

"The purple panel traps have helped us to more accurately pinpoint where EAB is located so we can have the proper areas quarantined to help slow its spread," Ellis said.

Kosciusko is the 18th Indiana county with confirmed emerald ash borer infestation and is part of a cluster of counties in the state's northeastern corner now under quarantine.

Other quarantined counties include Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Hamilton, Huntington, LaGrange, Marion, Noble, Porter, Randolph, St. Joseph, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, White and Whitley.

In addition to the latest find in Indiana, the purple panel trap detection survey also has been instrumental in recently detecting infestations in the state of Virginia and in Bloomington-Normal, Ill.

"It's important to note that most of the infestations we're finding are not the result of natural spread of the beetle, but rather the result of people moving infested ash products," Ellis said. "Most seemingly new infestations are actually several years old.  It is our hope that the purple panel trap survey will allow us to detect this devastating pest in a more timely fashion."

The public's role in keeping the emerald ash borer contained remains crucial to success, Ellis said. Campers everywhere, not just in quarantined counties, should avoid moving firewood.

"We continue to stress buying firewood at the camping destination and burning it completely before leaving the site," she said. "Much of the spread of emerald ash borer has been the result of unsuspecting campers moving firewood."

For tips on protecting forests when camping, go online to http://www.dontmovefirewood.org

More information about emerald ash borer, including quarantines and identification materials, can be found online at http://www.entm.purdue.edu/eab or by calling the invasive species hotline at (866) NO-EXOTIC (663-9684).

Questions regarding emerald ash borer should be directed to Ellis at (765) 494-0822, ellisj@purdue.edu.

Writer: Jennifer Cummins, (765) 494-6682, cumminsjs@purdue.edu

Source: Jodie Ellis, (765) 494-0822, ellisj@purdue.edu