(KLZA)-- Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive insect that was first found in Nebraska in the summer of 2016 in the Omaha and Greenwood areas.

The beetle was recently found in Nemaha County, Nebraska.

Emerald Ash Borers are approximately half an inch long and metallic green in color. It has a bronze-purple color under the wings. The larvae may be found underneath the bark of ash trees. They are cream colored and grow up to 1 -1/4 inches long.

Damage from Emerald Ash Borers comes from the larvae that will kill ash trees. Signs of EAB infestations include suckering at the base of an ash tree, decline in the tree from the top of the canopy downward through the tree. There will also be 1/8-inch D-shaped exit holes along the trunk and branches. One of the first signs is that the tips of the branches will be bare of leaves.

EAB can be managed by several methods. First, make sure you have an ash tree. You can choose to remove and replace your tree or treat it. If you have a healthy tree and it's in a good location, there is no urgent need to remove it. However, if you remove it now, you can have more time to get a new tree started this fall. Also, when a tree dies from EAB, it should be removed promptly to remove the hazards of falling branches.

You can do a soil drench to treat the trees in the spring with a product containing imidecloprid on trees less than 14 inches in diameter. Or you can hire an arborist to do a trunk injection or sprary your tree.

It is recommended to wait until the borers are found within 15 miles of your tree before treating it. Currently the treatment zone would include Auburn, Peru, Brownville, Nemaha, Stella, Shubert, Falls City, Dawson, Rulo, Verdon and Salem.

For more information on Emerald Ash Borer, visit the website on /EAB information from the Nebraska Forest Service at nfs.unl.edu/nebaska-emerald-ash-borer.