Adult emerald ash borers are about a half-inch-long and lay eggs in bark crevices on all species of ash trees. (The Herald/Submitted Photo)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials recently confirmed the presence of invasive emerald ash borer beetles in the park.

Last week, beetles were discovered near Sugarlands Visitor Center and in the Greebrier area, on the Tennessee side of the park. The insects were recovered during routine inspection of traps and sent to a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist for confirmation.

The emerald ash borer was first discovered in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002 and has steadily spread from there, damaging millions of ash trees across the country.  The half-inch-long beetle lays eggs in bark crevices on all species of ash.

Upon hatching, larvae burrow under the bark, creating feeding tunnels that interfere with the tree’s ability to translocate nutrients and fluids.  The tree gradually starves and eventually dies.

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