The Physical Plant Grounds department is currently working with dying ash trees on campus due to an infestation of beetles known as the emerald ash borer.
These insects have killed 40 million ash trees in North America since 2002, according to the National Park Service (NPS). This summer, the infestation reached campus.
The bullet-shaped beetles from Asia scope out healthy ash trees between August and October, on which the female lays its eggs on top of the bark. The insects are believed to have arrived in cargo shipment from Asia during the early millennium, according to NPS.
“It’s really awful,” said Biological Sciences Professor Don Cipollini.
Cipollini said the Department of Biological Sciences is conducting research to find a natural substance the ash trees could use to increase its defenses. Much like a person fighting a cold, the natural substance could cause the tree to alert its defense mechanism to rid itself of the infestation.
The research includes an artificial diet, in which different substances are given to larvae and tested for a positive reaction. The traits that work could help them to defend themselves, Cipollini said.
The ash trees on campus are protected annually with a basic pesticide that is soaked around the roots so it will protect the trees against common insects, WSU Grounds Maintenance Manager Michael Coyle explained.
Despite the fact the ash trees are treated, there currently is not a specific pesticide for the Emerald Ash Borer. That means the basic pesticide isn’t all that effective, Coyle said.
About 25 percent of the trees in the woods on campus are ash trees, which could die out within the next five to ten years if the infestation continues.
“Students who use the trails on campus will notice a great decrease,” Coyle said.
"It's disappointing," said WSU graduate student Jason Bruns. "It adds to the beauty of campus. If you have trees that are dying, then the campus loses some of its luster."
WSU student Teresa Pulaski said that the matter was “out of our control.”
"It's nature, it's going to happen," Pulaski said.
Cipollini said the solution to the emerald ash borer will take time to discover.
“[The emerald ash borer] is a complex problem and an immediate issue, but the understanding and strategy development is long term,” Cipollini said.
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