MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The invasive pest that threatens Vermont’s ash trees is continuing to spread across the state.
The state announced Wednesday that the emerald ash borer has been found in South Hero, about 50 miles from the closest ash borer infestation in the state, although the ash borer has been discovered in the Quebec municipality that abuts Grand Isle County.
The ash borer was first discovered in Vermont in February. It has been confirmed in Orange, Washington, Caledonia and Bennington counties. The bug’s larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark.
State officials say the emerald ash borer, “could have significant ecological and economic impacts” on the state’s ash trees.
Since the pest was first discovered in North America in 2002, it has decimated ash populations in more than 30 states.
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