The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a highly destructive invasive species because North American (and most European) ash tree species have no evolutionary defenses against it. The larvae tunnel into the trees to feed, creating S-shaped tunnels that disrupt the vascular system, ultimately killing the tree. This has led to the death of hundreds of millions of ash trees in the United States and Canada, dramatically altering forests and urban tree canopies. The loss of ash trees also impacts the food web, as numerous insect species depend on them. Furthermore, the resulting dead trees increase the risk of wildfires and facilitate the spread of invasive plant species.
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