Invasive beetle spotted in Vancouver
Officials say the beetle has killed more than 100 million ash trees nationwide and urge residents to report sightings and avoid moving firewood.
- On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Washington and federal officials confirmed the invasive emerald ash borer has arrived in Vancouver after two residents spotted the metallic green beetle on their windshield in early August.
- Native to Asia, the emerald ash borer has wiped out more than 100 million ash trees in the United States since its initial detection twenty years ago, making all true ash species vulnerable to infestation.
- WSDA Pest Program Manager Sven Spichiger called the detection an example of how "alert, observant members of the public help us detect new, invasive pests," after residents reported their August 3 sighting to the Washington State Invasive Species Council.
- On Tuesday, the department implemented a statewide firewood quarantine to slow spread of the pest. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said state officials "anticipated it would only be a matter of time" before arrival.
- Municipalities could lose 90% to 100% of ash trees within 12 years without management efforts, according to a Department of Natural Resources analysis; limiting firewood transportation and replacing affected trees with non-ash species are key mitigation strategies.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Invasive beetle that has wiped out millions of ash trees confirmed in Washington - The Daily Chronicle
One of the most destructive invasive pests in the nation has arrived in southern Washington, posing a grave threat to ash trees. State officials confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer Wednesday after two people passing through Vancouver spotted the insect on their windshield in early August. They took photos, collected the specimen and turned it over to officials for identification. “We anticipated it would only be a matter of time bef…
Invasive beetle that has wiped out millions of ash trees confirmed in Washington • Washington State Standard
(Photo by Stephen Ausmus/U.S. Department of Agriculture)One of the most destructive invasive pests in the nation has arrived in southern Washington, posing a grave threat to ash trees. State officials confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer Wednesday after two people passing through Vancouver spotted the insect on their windshield in early August. They took photos, collected the specimen and turned it over to officials for identificatio…
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