Emerald Ash Borers are an invasive species of beetle, originally native to Northeast Asia. They burrow and lay eggs in the ash tree and feed on the wood, killing the entire tree within a year or two. Campers may be familiar with signs informing them that firewood may not be transferred between states because of Emerald Ash Borers. They were first found in America near Detroit, Michigan, and have since spread to 37 states, including sightings in all 99 counties of Iowa.

The ash trees’ absence in ecosystems means that the plants and animals that rely on the trees for food and shelter are also threatened. Ashes make up anywhere from 17-50% of Iowa’s street trees, providing oxygen, protection from weather, longer pavement life, lower urban temperatures, and so much more.

Although these beetles have been serious threats to America’s ecosystems since 2002, researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that a few fungi can be weaponized against these small eco-terrorists. They discovered that, growing in the untouched ash trees, were different insect-killing fungi. Out of the ten fungi studied, all were able to infect the beetles, but four species—three native to Minnesota—consistently lowered the livespans of Ash Borers. Some dead beetles were even seen with the fungi sprouting out. Researchers are testing traps designed to attract Ash Borers, then expose them to the fungi spores and spread it to other beetles, effectively killing entire colonies at a time.

Emerald Ash Borers have terrorized a larger portion of the United States for 24 years now, but an EAB-free America seems closer every day. In the meantime, we can manage and contain Ash Borers by not transporting firewood and buying it at your destination, buying kiln-dried firewood, and buying or obtaining firewood as you use it instead of keeping it for long periods of time.