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Emerald ash borer
Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Emerald ash borer has Killed more than 40 million ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, with tens of millions more lost in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. |
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Gypsy moth
The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is one of North America's most devastating forest pests. The species originally evolved in Europe and Asia and has existed there for thousands of years.
The gypsy moth is known to feed on the foliage of hundreds of species of plants in North America but its most common hosts are oaks and aspen.
Gypsy moth populations are typically eruptive, and when densities reach very high levels trees may become completely defoliated. Several successive years of defoliation , along with contributions by other stress factors, may ultimately result in tree mortality. |
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Pine shoot beetle
The pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda L., is an introduced pest of pines. It was first discovered at a Christmas tree farm near Cleveland, Ohio, in July 1992. A native of Europe, the beetle attacks new shoots of pine trees, stunting the growth of the trees. The pine shoot beetle may also attack stressed pine trees by breeding under the bark at the base of the trees. The beetles can cause severe decline in the health of the trees, and in some cases, kill the trees when high populations exist. |
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Multi-colored Asian lady beetle
The multi-colored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, is a native of Asia and relatively new to Michigan. Like a variety of many exotic species, it has readily adapted to climates and habitats in the U.S. As with nearly all lady beetles, it is a highly beneficial predator on a variety of insect pests, especially aphids. Trouble occurs when populations buildup, and large numbers of beetles enter buildings in the fall to hibernate. During unusually warm winter days and in early spring, the beetles wake up and crawl into areas of buildings inhabited by people. While the beetles themselves are harmless, their intrusion into homes through out the state is not welcome by home owners.. |
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Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease (DED) is one of the most destructive shade tree diseases in North America. The disease affects American elms (and other elm species), killing individual branches and eventually the entire tree within several years. Since its introduction, DED has swept through urban areas, causing tremendous losses of high value American elm street trees. It has also greatly altered the role of elm in bottomland ecosystems. Trees often survive to seed producing age, but later succumb to the disease. Waves of disease incidence may be related to population fluctuations of the beetles that vector the disease. |
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