Entomology
The Department of Entomology works through two colleges-the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Natural Science. This two-college arrangement enables students to integrate the agriculture/natural resources and biological/physical sciences in an optimally beneficial way
The Entomology department has a long history of excellence in research, extension, and graduate education and we continue to focus on these areas for the issues that confront us today and for the future.
Emerald ash borer
Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Emerald ash borer is also established in Windsor, Ontario, was found in Ohio in 2003 and northern Indiana in 2004. Since its discovery, EAB has:
• Killed at least 8 million to 10 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Most of the devastation is in southeastern Michigan.
• Caused regulatory agencies to enforce quarantines ( Ohio, Indiana, Michigan) and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs.
• Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars.