USDA Pivots To Wasp Army In Battle Against Emerald Ash Borer
USDA Pivots To Wasp Army In Battle Against Emerald Ash Borer

US federal regulators are dropping quarantine measures meant to control the emerald ash borer.

According to Science Magazine, instead of quarantines, the government will use tiny wasps known to kill the invasive beetles in hopes of saving the ash.

It's a devastating Asian pest that has killed tens of millions of ash trees since 2002.

Ash trees are considered a linchpin of American forests.

Some agree that, after spending some $350 million to fight the ash borer, the government should redirect scarce resources to more promising strategies.

But others argue the surrender is premature.

So some states are vowing to maintain local controls on ash tree and wood movement.