The Emerald Ash Borer has now been found in four Iowa counties including Jefferson, Allamakee, Cedar and Des Moines. Trees Forever along with the US Forest Service and the Iowa DNR are hosting an informational meeting next week about the beetle.

The bug is native to East Asia and has spread across the U.S. with people transporting infested wood, such as for firewood. The Emerald Ash Borer kills ash trees when the larvae eat away at the tree under the bark, destroying the tree’s ability to transport nutrients.

The meeting will be held at Marr Park at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Conservation Center.