U of M study finds fungi is really good at killing emerald ash borer

Emerald ash borer has devastated thousands of ash trees across Minnesota, home to one of the largest ash populations in the country.

Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota are making strides in the fight against the invasive insect.

A new study from the U’s Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center has identified several species of parasitic fungi that are able to kill emerald ash borer beetles.

This research is especially critical given emerald ash borer has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America, according to the University of Minnesota.

Throughout their study, researchers tested a variety of Minnesota fungi to see whether or not they were able to kill emerald ash borer in a lab setting. Using native fungi in the study was important because it is al