MEET THE TROUBLEMAKER!
I was assigned to research the insect known as the Emerald Ash Borer. Take a look at the websites I used to gather my information: Troublemakers, Unwelcome Visitors and Pictures of these Pests .
This insect is originally from Asia. It arrived in the United States in 2002. The insect becomes invasive because the insects larvae (children) make tunnels under tree bark and that causes the trees to die. The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle that threatens the North American Ash Trees.
When enough trees are damaged or killed by insects the whole forest suffers. There is more of a chance of wildfires. Also, the trees are there to clean the water and air and provide shelter for many plants and animals in the forest. These invasive insects cause trouble to the whole forest ecosystem.
Some invasive insects can arrive in the United States by boat in food shipments from overseas. They can also come here in wood shipments and many other goods that are shipped from country to country.
If you are ever in the forest or even a park you can look for certain signs that would mean insect damage. Some signs are damaged leaves, insect eggs on the leaves, bare branches on the tree tops and holes or tunnels on the bark of a tree.
We can take some steps to help fight against invasive species. For example, if you go hiking in the forest or park clean off the bottom of your boots before going home...they might be carrying the insects. You can also buy local firewood so that we don't take a chance of bringing in wood that has insects in the shipment.
We have to keep these pests far from home!!
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