A deadly insect that feasts on a certain tree has been discovered in DeWitt County.

The threatening Emerald Ash Borer, which feasts on Ash Trees has been discovered in DeWitt County, north of Clinton Lake. Steve Lobb is the Public Works Director for the City of Clinton and also an arborist, says there are some very large Ash Trees in DeWitt County that could be in danger.

[audio:eab1.mp3]A Word From Lobb[/audio]

The threat of the Emerald Ash Borer in DeWitt County is nothing new, in fact, Lobb says he is not surprised to hear the news of it here. He feels it was only a matter of time before it was discovered.

[audio:eab2.mp3]A Word From Lobb[/audio]

The Emerald Ash Borer makes its way down from the northern states with forests of ash trees, and was first discovered in Illinois in Cook County, and is now making it's way south. Lobb speculates the insect could be in more trees, however, at this point it has only been spotted in one part of the county.

[audio:eab3.mp3]A Word From Lobb[/audio]

The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia.  Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to starve and eventually die.  While the beetle does not pose any direct risk to public health, it does threaten the ash tree canopy. 25 counties in the northeastern and central part of the state are under quarantine to slow the spread of the beetle.  The quarantine prohibits the intrastate movement of potentially-contaminated wood products, including ash trees, limbs and branches and all types of firewood. DeWitt County is not within those quarantine boundaries.