Tree beetle turns up in western Wisconsin

Emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer is responsible for millions of dollars of damage to ash trees in Michigan, and it's spreading to other states. The adult borer is a metallic, coppery-green color and one-third to one-half inch long.
Photo by David Cappaert of Michigan State University, courtesy of www.forestryimages.org

State officials say they've discovered a tree-eating beetle has spread to western Wisconsin.

Officials with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection say they've confirmed the emerald ash borer has been found in Victory, a Vernon County community on the Mississippi River about 20 miles south of La Crosse.

The Asian insect feeds on ash trees during its larval stage. Ash borers attack the soft wood between the bark and the hard wood where vessels carry water and nutrients, causing the tree to decline and eventually die.

The beetle has been found already in Ozaukee and Washington counties.

Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota officials plan to examine the Victory infestation later this week.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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