I Hope These Russians Invade Pennsylvania

A parasitic wasp from Russia could help American ash trees survive the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, which threatens to wipe out a massive clear-wood forest tree used for everything from baseball bats, oars, and hockey sticks to furniture, flooring, doors, and cabinetry.

A five-year study from a US Department of Agriculture team demonstrates that a recently identified species of Siberian wasp can reduce Emerald Ash Borer populations by 75 percent in mature ash forests, setting the stage for their long-term recovery.

“Finally we see the light at the end of the tunnel,” says Jian Duan, one of the study’s authors, and Agriculture Department ecologist who has led research on emerald ash borer control for decades.

Now the battle is against time and demographics -- getting enough Siberian wasps in the field fast enough to slow the spread of Emerald Ash Borer in areas where it has already infected older trees.