The Emerald Ash Borer is continuing its spread across Iowa. It was announced this week that infestations have been confirmed in Appanoose, Lucas, Mahaska and Monroe counties. This brings the total number of counties in Iowa dealing with the invasive insect up to 18. In Southeast Iowa, infestations of the ash tree killing beetle have been discovered in Jefferson, Henry, Wapello, Des Moines and Muscatine counties.

Infestations are confirmed by the Iowa EAB Team, a group of officials from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and the USDA Forest Service.

A statewide quarantine, which restricts the movement of ash tree products to non-quarantined areas of other states, has been in affect since February.