First Emerald Ash Borer Identified in Darien

Cue the Jaws theme: Dun dun. Dun dun. Dun dun.

But it’s no shark invading Darien.

This unwelcome guest is smaller and a little less toothy—but still pretty darn feared.

The first emerald ash borer has been sighted in Darien.

City officials confirmed Friday that the destructive bug has been spotted in the Hinsbrook neighborhood.

Emerald ash borers, as their name suggests, make their home in ash trees, munching on leaves and crawling about the trunk, according to the DuPage County Forest Preserve. The larvae cause the most damage by feeding on the ash trees’ inner bark, which cuts off the pathway between the roots and leaves, effectively starving the trees, the forest preserve said.

The beetles have also been sighted recently in neighboring towns, including , and .

The good news is the city said ash borers pose no threat to humans, and it could take years for them to make a noticeable impact on Darien’s ash trees.

So far, the city believes the critter spotted in Hinsbrook is boring solo, but officials said in a release there are several things residents can do to prevent further infestation:

• Avoid bringing firewood in or out of Darien—keep it local.
• Same goes for ash trees or byproducts.
• If you have an ash tree showing telltale signs of infestation—wilted, yellow leaves and branches sprouting lower than normal, according to the forest preserve—call the City of Darien at 630-353-8105.