Native to China, the insect was discovered in the United States in 2002 in Detroit.

As the borer spread through the suburbs and beyond, leaving ash skeletons behind, the U.S. Department of Agriculture dedicated emergency funding. "Firewalls" were cut. Areas were quarantined. Bans restricted the movement of trees and firewood.

Still, the insect kept spreading.

The borer was detected in 2007 in Pennsylvania. It has since spread as far east as Sullivan County and a turnpike rest stop near Carlisle.