The department found the insect in Clay and Platte counties in Missouri, and it was confirmed in Wyandotte County in August.

To prevent the accidental spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, which can destroy living ash trees, a state and federal quarantine was placed on wood products in Clay, Platte and Wyandotte counties. Residents should not bring in firewood, wood products or brush from infected areas, including while dropping off materials at the city’s brush site.

The Emerald Ash Borer is a small metallic green beetle native to Asia and attacks only ash trees. It was first detected in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002 and has since spread to other states including Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.

Symptoms of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation are sparse leaves, dead branches in the upper part of the tree, new sprouts on the roots or lower trunk, short vertical splits in the bark, winding S-shaped tunnels just under the bark and increased woodpecker activity on the tree.

For more information, contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Weed Control at 785-862-2180, ppwc@kda.ks.gov or visit emeraldashborer.info.