European range of the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is expanding: The pest destroys ashes in the northwest of Moscow oblast and in part of Tver oblast

Abstract

Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis is a serious pest of ash. It was accidentally introduced to Moscow in the 1990s. In May 2013, ashes in four cities located to the northwest of Moscow were examined. In Zelenograd (20 km from Moscow), Klin (70 km from Moscow), and Konakovo (100 km from Moscow), most of the ashes have been already killed or severely damaged by the pest. Obviously, within the next several years, ashes will be entirely eliminated from green plantations of these cities. Ashes examined in Tver (145 km from Moscow) are not damaged. The European range of the pest has significantly expanded to the northwest. Its border now crosses Tver oblast.