Ash borer insects found in Aurora

No, it's not a Sleestak.

A number of ash trees along the parkway in the Foxcroft subdivision on Aurora's West Side have been identified as being infested with the emerald ash borer, the city announced Monday.

The Beacon News reports the city has been monitoring ash trees for several years. In November 2008, one emerald ash borer larva was found on the city's far East Side in a "trap tree."

The emerald ash borer is a metallic green exotic beetle native to Asia that is approximately one-half inch in length. It was first found in Michigan in 2002 and most probably was transported to the United States through solid wood packing material. Since then, the use of ash tree limbs for firewood has been determined to be the leading cause of the spread of the insects.

Adult beetles eat ash foliage and cause little damage, but larva feed on the inner bark, disrupting a tree's ability to transport water and nutrients.

Any homeowner who suspects a parkway tree is infested may call the city's customer service line at 630-264-4636, and a staff member will conduct an inspection.

Residents who suspect an ash borer infestation on private property may go to the city's Web site, www.aurora-il.org, where they will find photographs of ash trees, the ash borer itself and ash borer exit holes. The city cannot treat or remove trees on private property, but homeowners may call local tree care professionals for guidance on how to care for a tree that is affected.

Residents can go to www.emeraldashborer.info for the latest updates on the emerald ash borer.

The emerald ash borer has been found in Ohio, northern Indiana, northern Illinois, Maryland, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Missouri and Virginia. It was first reported in Minnesota this spring. Since its discovery, EAB has killed tens of millions of trees and caused regulatory agencies and the USDA to enforce quarantines to prevent infested ash firewood from moving out of areas where EAB has occurred.

Naperville City Desk reminds everyone PLEASE DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREWOOD.