Emerald Ash Borer Forecast

Emerald ash borer is a beetle that causes significant harm to ash trees throughout the eastern United States. 

Emerald Ash Borer Adult Emergence Forecast

Emerald Ash Borer Egg Hatch Forecast

WHAT ARE PHENO FORECASTS?

Pheno Forecast maps predict key life cycle stages in invasive and pest species, to improve management efficacy.  For insect pest species, Pheno Forecasts are based on published growing degree day (GDD) thresholds for key points in species life cycles. These key points typically represent life cycle stages when management actions are most effective. For Emerald Ash Borer, we forecast the first emergence of adults and the earliest egg hatch in the spring, for the full calendar year.

Help us improve these maps! Our Pheno Forecast map products are still in development, and we seek input on their performance in your area. Give your feedback at the bottom of the page.

SIGN UP FOR PHENO FORECAST NOTIFICATIONS!

Sign up to be notified by email approximately two weeks and again six days ahead of key growing degree day thresholds for species of interest at your location


SPECIES BACKGROUND

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is non-native beetle from Asia which has spread across the eastern United States since 2002. In their larval stage, the beetles destroy the heartwood of ash trees, killing them within a few years. The pest is responsible for the death of hundreds of millions of ash trees.

LEARN HOW TO OBSERVE PHENOLOGY OF EAB

Our learning module walks you through how to identify EAB, how to report its life cycle events, and why you should care. 

Take the module


Credits: Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service via Bugwood.org
Image
The heads of two emerald ash borers are seen emerging from D shaped exit hols in rough bark.

ADULT FORECAST

We forecast adult emergence and egg hatch based on growing degree days. The forecast is available for the contiguous United States, except for those areas where the temperatures for the current year are expected to exclude the organism in each life stage. Treatments are applied to control for adult beetles on infested trees, to reduce the spread of the pest. Adults lay eggs approximately 14 days after emergence, so treatment is critical in this window. Knowing when these eggs hatch helps managers know when larvae are active in the tree. For specific information on preferred treatment options in your region, we recommend contacting your local extension agent. For more information on treatment guidance, visit Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer or Emerald Ash Borer Information Network.


EXPLORE THIS FORECAST

Learn more about this forecast using our visualization tool!

Phenophase

GDD threshold

Base temp

Upper threshold

Start date

GDD method

Model origin

Source

Adult Emergence (earliest date that overwintering individuals are expected to emerge as adults)

391oF

54oF

97oF

Jan 1

Single triangle

OH, MI

DDRPDuarte 2014, and Barker et al 2023

Egg Hatch (earliest date that overwintering eggs are predicted to hatch)

830oF

54oF

97oF

Jan 1

Single triangle

OH, MI

DDRPDuarte 2014, and Barker et al 2023

The development of this forecast was funded primarily by USDA NIFA AFRI TSAB Award #2022-68013-37138 to support agricultural biosecurity. 

Learn more about the forecast in a presentation hosted by Emerald Ash Borer University.

More information on map development and re-use policy.

TRACK THIS SPECIES WITH NATURE'S NOTEBOOK

 

You can help verify this forecast by checking trees for this species and reporting your findings in Nature’s Notebook via the Pest Patrol campaign. Your observations will help scientists better understand when this species is active and susceptible to treatment.

 

Learn more about Pest Patrol

pest patrol badge

Give us your feedback on our Pheno Forecast maps

Have you used our Pheno Forecast maps to plan treatment activities, or to know when to search for pests of interest? Do you have a suggestion of another species for which a forecast would help you make decisions? We'd love to hear about it!

Please include your email if you'd like to hear back from us.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.