A state government proposal would hasten the use of a pesticide used to control the spread of the emerald ash borer.
The move by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection would permit the department to register pesticide products without prior federal approval for one full year. This would allow the insecticide Tree-age (pronounced like "triage") to be used in the control of the invasive pest.
The destructive beetle, which feeds exclusively on ash trees, was found in southeastern Wisconsin in August. There are more than 5 million ash trees in the state's urban areas and another 765 million ash trees in the state's forests.
Tree-age has shown control of the ash-killing beetle in Michigan State University studies. Injecting the insecticide into ash trees minimizes environmental risks such as water contamination and secondary wildlife poisoning. A preliminary assessment indicates that the proposed registration of Tree-age will not require a full environmental impact statement.
An insecticide containing emamectin benzoate, Tree-ages active ingredient, is currently registered for use on various Wisconsin agricultural crops.
Already, the metallic-green beetle has ravaged Michigan forests and spread to several states, including Ohio and Illinois.
The emerald ash borer feeds on ash trees regardless of their size, age or health. Its larvae feed on the cambium and phloem of ash trees. This disrupts the trees' ability to transport water and nutrients, causing the tree to starve and die.