University of Minnesota works on 'attack fungi' that could fight emerald ash borer U researchers hope fungus will kill invasive beetle. March 10, 2021 — 5:06pm Text size Copy shortlink: Fungi are everywhere. They inhabited the planet long, long before humans showed up. So it's no surprise researchers found thriving communities under the bark of ash trees infested with the emerald ash borer. What did surprise researchers at the University of Minnesota was the diversity — 173 different kinds of fungi. Some are in cahoots with the beetle and help kill trees, but others attack the beetle itself, feeding on the destructive insect and its eggs.