Destructive beetle found in Arboretum; another wood quarantine in store for area

State officials confirmed today a dread Emerald Ash Borer was found in a trap at the Arnold Arboretum earlier this month and that they are now working on a quarantine zone that would be similar to, if somewhat less strict, than the one recently lifted for Asian Longhorned Beetles.

The insect, named because of its bright green color and the way it bores into ash trees, "represents a serious threat to our ash trees,” DCR Commissioner Jack Murray said in a statement. “We are taking swift action to address the infestation, educate the public, and work to mitigate any impact an infestation could bring.”

The bug was detected in a trap on July 16 and confirmed by federal experts two days later.

Under the quarantine rules, people within a certain distance of the Arboretum would be restricted in what sort of ash wood - including tree limbs - they could take out of the area.

When Asian Longhorned Beetles were discovered on the grounds of Faulkner Hospital in 2010, officials set up a woodchipping area at the Forest Hills bus yard to grind wood - and any beetles that might be in or on them - to a fine powder.

The boring beetles were detected in Berkshire County in 2012 and Essex County last year.

DCR and APHIS will be scheduling listening sessions in Suffolk County in early September to provide the community with information relative to the finding and address questions. To report suspicious tree damage or insect sightings, or to learn more about this pest, visit http://massnrc.org/pests/eabreport.htm. You can also call the toll free EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512.