{"id":154908,"date":"2026-01-15T13:37:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T19:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=154908"},"modified":"2026-01-15T13:37:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T19:37:24","slug":"lafayette-county-master-gardeners-a-new-threat-in-mississippi-the-emerald-ash-borer-and-what-gardeners-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/lafayette-county-master-gardeners-a-new-threat-in-mississippi-the-emerald-ash-borer-and-what-gardeners-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Lafayette County Master Gardeners: “A New Threat in Mississippi: The Emerald Ash Borer and What Gardeners Need to Know”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the fall of 2025, Mississippi received unwelcome news: the emerald ash borer<\/strong> (EAB), a destructive invasive beetle, was confirmed for the first time within the state\u2019s borders, specifically in Issaquena County. This discovery marked a pivotal moment for gardeners, arborists, and landowners alike \u2014 and it\u2019s a reminder that even well-established landscapes can be vulnerable to tiny invaders with a big impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Emerald Ash Borer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis<\/em>) is a small, metallic green beetle native to Asia. Adults are strikingly colored but only about one-third to one-half inch<\/strong> long \u2014 roughly the size of a dime. It\u2019s the larvae, not the adults, that cause immense harm. After eggs are laid in crevices on ash tree bark, the larvae tunnel just beneath the bark, feeding on the cambium and phloem<\/strong> \u2014 the tissues that transport water and nutrients. This feeding action girdles the tree, cutting off its lifelines and eventually causing death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For decades, the emerald ash borer has devastated ash trees across North America. First detected in the United States near Detroit in 2002, EAB has since spread through at least 35 states and multiple Canadian provinces. Until recently, Mississippi had been one of the few eastern states spared from infestation \u2014 but the recent detection means the fight has now come to our home soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Adult<\/a>
Adult emerald ash borers are colorful, but they are only about one-third to one-half inch long. (Howard Russell, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Gardeners Should Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ash trees (Fraxinus<\/em> species) have long been valued in Mississippi landscapes. They provide dappled shade over patios and drives, serve as stately focal points in yards, and contribute to the local ecosystem by supporting birds and insects. While ash trees are not the most common tree in every yard, they are an important part of many natural and urban forests across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrival of EAB is significant because once infested, untreated ash trees typically die within 3\u20135 years<\/strong>. Experience from other states suggests almost all<\/em> untreated ash trees eventually succumb to the pest, with mortality often approaching 99%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For gardeners, that means not just losing a beautiful tree but also facing the added expense and labor of removal and replacement. Large ash trees can become hazards when dead or dying, shedding heavy limbs or falling unexpectedly \u2014 a risk not to be taken lightly in a garden setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Emerald<\/a>
Emerald ash borer larvae kill trees by tunneling through the inner bark, girdling limbs and trunks, and disrupting nutrient flow. (Art Wagner, USDA \u2013 APHIS, Bugwood.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the Signs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early detection is essential. Here\u2019s what keen observers should watch for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visual Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n