Insect being tracked

Sunday, June 29, 2008
This triangular trap can be seen in Ash trees along county roads in southern Putnam County. They are designed to trap and track the Emerald Ash Borer.

Recently the Banner Graphic has received several reports of an odd purple triangular device seen hanging in Ash trees along county roads in southern Putnam County.

Emergency Management personnel even called to ask if the paper knew what they were.

The EMA received a call from a local resident that believed they were part of a terrorist attack plan.

The devices are traps to lure the Emerald Ash Borers (EAB) so the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry Division can track the movement of the destructive pest.

According to Alan Royer, DNR Forestry Division, the insect is an invasive pest that kills ash trees.

"It spreads by people bringing in infected wood from other areas. It has already been detected in Michigan's Lower Peninsula and in parts of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. So far we haven't had any reports of them in Putnam County," said Royer.

Because EAB threatens the survival of all North American Ash trees, Royer says it's important that the public be on the lookout for the insect and learn what they can do to slow its spread and reduce damage after it arrives.

Signs that indicate EAB on Ash trees include a thinning of leaves that starts in the top of the tree, the presence of tiny (1/8 inch) D-shaped holes in the bark, a green, leafy sprouting at the base of the tree and activity by woodpeckers on Ash trees.

"The most important prevention for the EAB is not moving firewood any long distance. Don't take firewood with you when camping. Buy it from local sources when you arrive at your destination and burn it completely before you leave," adds Royer.

Areas where quarantines are in place do not allow any hardwood firewood to be moved. They also regulate Ash nursery stock, and Ash limbs and debris.

Violating the EAB quarantines is illegal and can result in heavy fines.

Counties closest to Putnam with quarantines in place are Marion and Hamilton counties.

For more information on the EAB call the Indiana DNR's toll-free hotline at 866-NO EXOTIC (866-663-9684) or visit Purdue's newly updated Web site at www.entm.urdue.edu/EAB.

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  • Terrorist attack plan? Wow

    -- Posted by clearwat on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 5:56 AM
  • thanks, i wondered what those were. i figured it was some kind on insect trap.

    -- Posted by keith on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 11:44 AM
  • Just hope that EMA doesn't ask the Banner Graphic where Reelsville is....

    -- Posted by chp on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 9:09 PM
  • Maybe our local paper should have put an article out about these being placed in our community before hand. Then we wouldn't have people calling in about terrorist attacks. WOW! What a thought!

    -- Posted by chicagogirl on Tue, Jul 1, 2008, at 8:03 AM
  • Most of them have labels underneath, describing both their function and origin. Of course, that only helps those who can read; a bothersome ability for those here in the land of strange weather caused by space shuttle launches. So maybe the Banner article didn't help much after all.

    I've been worried about those tall, skinny orange boxes by the road in the country for some time now. If they were blue, I'd say they were placed by the U.N. as markers for our upcoming enslavement. Since they're orange, they must have been placed by the Scientologists. Some sort of brainwave monitor, perhaps....

    Better call B.G. and have them investigate that. They're in PUTNAM county, B.G., that's the county between Hendricks and Clay.

    -- Posted by chp on Tue, Jul 1, 2008, at 10:22 PM
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