Since the beginning of June, the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture has been active in efforts to detect and remove the
emerald ash borer from the area.

During the previous two weeks, field workers have been checking
the 260 posted traps in McKean County one-by-one in search of the
insect. With approximately 60 traps remaining to check, there has
been no sign of the insect, according to Jason Copeland, forest
insect trap aide.

For the past two months triangular purple scent traps have been
placed throughout the surrounding counties to attract the beetle.
Used since 2003, the Bureau of Forestry has been surveying for the
early detection of emerald ash borer on state-owned forest
lands.

“The beetles are attracted to the wavelength of that color and a
scent lure is in the middle of it to keep them there,” said
Copeland. “It was found recently in southern Pennsylvania.”

Visual and Trap Tree Survey results were negative from 2003 to
2006, but on June 21, 2007, emerald ash borer was detected for the
first time in the state in Butler County.

“If the borer is found it has the potential to match the
devastation of the Dutch Elm Disease,” said Jim Clark, Penn State
Cooperative Extension educator for McKean County. “An adult will
only fly up to 7.9 miles on its own. The movement is enhanced
through the transportation of firewood and nursery stock in the
area – we don’t want it here.”

Once all of the traps are checked, they will be reinstalled
throughout McKean County for a second round of checks, said
Copeland.