KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) – The emerald ash borer, an insect that has killed millions of trees in the eastern half of the United States since 2002, has been found in Kearney.
It’s the first time the destructive insect has been confirmed in the Nebraska outside of the eastern portion of the state. It was first found in the state in Omaha in 2016.
The Nebraska Dept of Agriculture confirmed Monday the emerald ash borer was found in a tree along a Kearney street after it was first spotted by city parks and recreation staff.
The invasive beetle attacks and slowly kills trees, mostly ash but other species of trees as well. It’s first U-S sighting was was in Michigan in 2002 and it’s now been found in 35 states.