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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis
The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is one of the most serious invasive species threatening our ash resources and forests. All species of (Fraxinus) ash trees, but not (Sorbus) mountain ash, that grow in Maine are susceptible to injury and death by the emerald ash borer.
EAB was first found in Aroostook County (Madawaska, Frenchville, and Grand Isle), and York County (Acton, Berwick, and Lebanon), ME in 2018. It was detected in Cumberland County (Portland) in September 2019.
What's New
August 28, 2023 - Emerald Ash Borer and Other Tree Health Concerns, Maine DACF Update for Cities and Towns
August 21, 2023 - DACF Proposes Expansion of Quarantines to Slow the Spread of Three Tree Killing Invasive Species
March 31, 2023 - New Emergency Order Area Announced as Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Continues Spread into Central Maine
EAB Identification
Ash Trees Can you identify an ash tree?
Report a Suspect Either the beetle or signs of infestation
Maps, Regulations & Quarantine Information
EAB State Quarantines:
- EAB Emergency Order (none currently in place 12/1/2023)
- EAB Quarantine Rules (PDF)
- EAB Regulated Articles
- The emerald ash borer;
- Firewood of all hardwood (non-coniferous) species;
- Ash (Fraxinus spp.) species: rooted plants, green lumber with any bark, live edge, or wane, and other material living, dead, cut, or fallen, including logs, stumps, roots, and branches of the genus Fraxinus; and
- Any other article, product, or means of conveyance not listed above may be designated as a regulated article if an inspector determines that it presents a risk of spreading emerald ash borer and notifies the person in possession of the article, product, or means of conveyance that it is subject to the restrictions of the regulations.
- EAB Quarantine Outside Maine (PDF)
- United States
- Canada
- EAB Quarantine Within Maine Map (PDF) - 12/21/2023
- All of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York Counties and parts of Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties.
- EAB Quarantine - Southern Maine Map (PDF) - 12/21/2023
- All of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York Counties and parts of Franklin, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset Counties.
- EAB Quarantine - Northern Maine Map (PDF) - 12/21/2023
- The northeast portion of Aroostook County.
- Download a list of towns within Maine regulated by the Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Rules (csv).
- EAB Quarantine FAQ (PDF)
- Guidance for Solid Waste Handlers (PDF) Dealing with potentially infested ash in and outside quarantine areas.
Firewood Ban Maine's Emergency Order banning out-of-state firewood
Canadian rules regarding importing ash from the U.S. and quarantined areas Implications for Maine ash exporters.
Best Management Practices for Handling Ash within Regulated Areas (PDF) Slow the spread within quarantine areas.
Memo to Tree Sellers From Maine's State Horticulturist
Caring for Ash Trees & Managing Forests
Best Management Practices for Handling Ash within Regulated Areas (PDF) Slow the spread within quarantine areas.
Guidance for Solid Waste Handlers (PDF) Dealing with potentially infested ash in and outside quarantine areas.
Surveillance, Outreach, Involvement
Monitoring for EAB with Traps (PDF) Resource for municipalities and others to purchase monitoring supplies
Purple Trap Survey USDA's detection trap
Trap Tree Network Girdling an ash for EAB detection
Biosurveillance Monitoring for EAB with the Cerceris wasp
Tree-Tagging Helping the public appreciate the value of trees
Phenology Model of Emerald Ash Borer Predicting EAB emergence with degree-day data
Volunteer Resources Free items to help spread the word
Additional Resources
Emerald Ash Borer Presentations (2019-2020):
- Emerald Ash Borer 2020 Update - Colleen Teerling, DACF, MFS (YouTube)
- How to Look for EAB - Colleen Teerling, DACF, MFS (PDF)
- Emerald Ash Borer: Background, Management & Potential Impacts - Nate Siegert, USFS (PDF)
- Emerald Ash Borer: Management Options for Municipalities - Nate Siegert, USFS (PDF)
- EAB Resources for Municipalities - Jan Santerre, DACF, MFS (PDF)
- Emerald Ash Borer: Emergency Orders, Quarantines, and Rulemaking - Gary Fish, DACF, APH (PDF)
DACF Emerald Ash Borer Update for Cities and Towns (August 24, 2020):
- Municipal Meeting Agenda (PDF | 191 KB)
- Recording of Meeting (YouTube)
- EAB: 2020 Purple Prism Trap Locations (PDF | 1.47 MB)
- Emerald Ash Borer Detections in Southern Maine 2018-2020 (PDF | 5.12 MB)
- Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol in Maine (PDF | 544 KB)
- Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol Info For Potential Cooperators (PDF | 206 KB)
An Ash Resource Inventory Field Manual State of Maine Indian Reservations
The Story of Emerald Ash Borer a pictorial essay about EAB by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Emerald Ash Borer Detection in Maine (YouTube) Pest and Disease Scouting & Management Activities For Landowners
FAQs
General Basic frequently asked questions about EAB
Quarantine Questions commonly asked about Maine's EAB quarantine (PDF)