Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Ralls County

Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation confirm that the presence of an exotic tree killing pest has been detected in Ralls County.

The Emerald Ash Borer is a small green beetle native to Asia that only attacks ash trees. The larvae of the Emerald Ash Borer kill ash trees by boring into the vascular layer of the trees.

Conservation officials say that anyone who finds EAB in their trees should make plans to either treat or remove the tree as soon as possible.

There are now 36 Missouri counties where evidence of the Emerald Ash Borer has been found, mostly in southeast Missouri.