Ash Borer Beetle

This week I was approached by the USDA, United States Department of Agriculture, to be part of a population study and western movement of the Ash Borer Beetle.  Between holes 3 and 5 you will see a purple triangle trap up in an ash tree.

Hanging the pheromone trap

The USDA Ash Borer Beetle trap

This pheromone trap is to attract any Ash beetles that may be in the area or approaching the ash tree that it is hanging in.  Along with the attractant smell hanging inside the triangle, there is a very sticky substance covering the cardboard that will the beetles will stick to if they land on it.

The trap will hang there for about 4 weeks and then it will be picked by the state and count the number of beetles on the trap.