Emerald ash borer reaches Texas

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The emerald ash borer, an invasive species of beetle responsible for killing tens of millions of ash trees across the country, has made its way to Texas, federal and state officials confirmed Monday.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Forest Service and Texas A&M Forest Service trapped four adult beetles in Harrison County, just south of Karnack in northeast Texas. Lab results confirmed those beetles are emerald ash borers, which can kill ash trees within three years of infestation.

The beetle is a native to Asia but turned up in the United States in Michigan in 2002. Since then, it has been found in 26 states including Arkansas and Louisiana.