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May, 2017

Gypsy moth treatments progressing

The first of two scheduled aerial treatments for gypsy moth was conducted May 11 within portions of Richfield and Minneapolis to eradicate gypsy moth from the area. A second and final treatment is anticipated to be conducted early next week when weather conditions are favorable. The emergency quarantine for gypsy moth implemented for the Richfield area in November 2018 is expected to be lifted after the second treatment has been completed.

In addition to the Richfield/Minneapolis site, two additional sites will receive gypsy moth treatments as well this year. Later this month, a 791 acre block just north of Hinckley will receive two aerial treatments. In late June, a 1,751 acre block in Winona County will be treated.

The MDA conducts an extensive monitoring survey for gypsy moth each year as part of the national Slow the Spread Program. The survey identifies areas where gypsy moth populations are building and can be knocked back or eradicated with treatments.

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Monitoring for invasive woodborers

During the last year, a number of invasive woodborers have been detected by the MDA in wooden furniture and other products, including the brown fir longhorned beetle (Callidellum villosulum), the velvet longhorned beetle (Trichoferus campestris) and most recently the China fir borer (Semanotus sinoauster - see image below).

As a result of these detections, the MDA, with support from the USDA, is monitoring for invasive woodborers in and around urban areas of Minnesota during 2017. Since these species have been shown to move through retail pathways, the areas at greatest risk for introductions are likely those with the greatest densities of consumers, i.e., cities. As a result, a variety of insect traps are being monitored in cities throughout Minnesota for a suite of invasive woodborers.

The MDA is also monitoring intensively near the Minneapolis / St Paul airport for the velvet longhorned beetle (Trichoferus campestris). The USDA has captured this beetle during each of the last three years near the airport during regular monitoring work. As a result we are concerned that this insect may have a reproducing population in the area.

We have placed traps for velvet longhorned beetle throughout this area, and are also working with cities in the area to sample potential host trees in decline for presence of velvet longhorned beetle. This beetle has a potentially broad host range but fruit trees such as apples and mulberries may be preferred.

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Brown marmorated stink bug becoming active?

Supported by the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund, 2016 was the third year that the MDA has implemented trap-based monitoring for BMSB. Trapping in 2014 yielded a single BMSB and in 2015 only three individuals were captured. However, during 2016 more than 200 adult BMSB were captured - all in the greater Twin Cities area. Moreover, many nymphs were captured at five sites as well (Chisago, Dakota and Ramsey Counties), conclusively demonstrating reproducing populations rather than hitchhikers from infested areas to the east.

During spring 2017, the MDA is monitoring sites with known or suspected established populations in order to identify periods of activity over the growing season. So far no traps have caught bugs this year, but residents in infested areas have described seeing BMSB active in their homes. The MDA will be expanding monitoring over the summer and fall to keep tabs on the distribution and abundance of this insect in Minnesota.

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Emerald ash borer biocontrol releases to begin

MDA’s EAB biological control program is set to begin parasitoid wasp releases for the 2017 field season this week. Three types of parasitic wasps, two that attack the larval stage and one that attacks the eggs, are supplied to state cooperators by the USDA EAB Parasitoid Rearing Facility in Brighton, MI. There are eight active biological control release sites for the 2017 field season located in the southeast, Twin Cities, and northeast Minnesota. Visit the EAB biological control webpage for more information or contact Jonathan Osthus, EAB Biocontrol Coordinator, jonathan.osthus@state.mn.us (651-201-6248).

White fringetree as a host for EAB

White fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a small tree native to the southeastern U.S. and also planted and grown in Minnesota as it can be hardy to zone 4. In 2015, research in Ohio determined that EAB was infesting and sometimes killing white fringetree as well as ash (Fraxinus spp.). This was big news since no other non-Fraxinus hosts have been documented in the U.S. despite extensive testing. For Minnesota, the main concern with EAB continues to be the impact to ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. However, it is worth keeping in mind that white fringetree could also be affected by EAB before planting them in the landscape.

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MDA Website Redesign Survey

The MDA is in the process of redesigning its website. We would be very interested in hearing from you about our current site and would appreciate it if you could take this brief survey.

External User Website Survey  Please complete the survey by Friday, May 26.

Weed of the month

The May Weed of the Month is Tree of Heaven. Read about this species at the MDA website.

Minnesota Certified Firewood

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has certified five firewood producers in the state of Minnesota for heat treatment of firewood. Look for the logo when purchasing firewood. It means the firewood is safe to move and is free of emerald ash borer. Certified firewood producers: Emily Forest Products JN Firewood   Minnesota Firewood LLC Paul's Fireplace Wood Price Firewood Sunset Firewood Company

Call us at 888-545-6684

Email us at arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us

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