Emerald ash borer, showing extended wings.

On May 14, 2009, emerald ash borer (EAB) was discovered in a South St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. Agrilus planipennis or commonly called EAB is a serious invasive tree pest, and consequently, is regulated in an effort to slow the spread of the insect to other areas of the state yet to be impacted. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's  Plant Protection Division tracks the spread of EAB throughout the state and provides outreach materials, training and management guidelines to affected businesses, communities and land managers.

Map of EAB in Quarantine and Distribution in Minnesota

Minnesota EAB Distribution and Quarantine Map

MN Geospatial Commons - EAB GIS Data

U of M logo for non-flight period

Where is EAB?

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed EAB in Pine and Renville Counties. There are now 50 counties in the state with known EAB infestations. The MDA has enacted a quarantine to limit the movement of firewood and ash material into Minnesota and out of infested counties. The MDA issues quarantines for all counties known to have EAB to reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect. Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine and Regulatory Information

A virtual informational meeting for residents and tree care professionals was held on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Experts from the MDA gave a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. 

Previously Recorded Informational Meetings

Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meeting - Pine and Renville Counties Recorded Webinar 

FREE Emerald Ash Borer Field Workshops

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) staff will be leading free EAB Field Workshops at several locations around the state in the month of March. These hour-long outdoor workshops will provide an opportunity to get a firsthand look at EAB-infested trees and will assist the community in becoming familiar with early detection. General EAB biology, distribution, management, regulation and treatment will also be covered. Workshops are provided free of charge through support from the US Forest Service and Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Details

• Dress for the weather as the workshops are held entirely outside and last one hour

• Bring a pair of binoculars (if you have them)

• Cancellations due to severe weather only

Jaycees Park, Brainerd, MN (Crow Wing County)

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

9:00 a.m. Register Here, 10:30 a.m. Register Here, 1:00 p.m. Register Here

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

9:00 a.m. Register Here, 10:30 a.m. Register Here, 1:00 p.m. Register Here

Cottonwood Park, Dilworth, MN (Clay County) 

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

9:00 a.m. (Sold Out), 10:30 a.m. Register Here, 1:00 p.m. Register Here

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

9:00 a.m. Register Here, 10:30 a.m. Register Here, 1:00 p.m. Register Here

MN Valley State Recreation Area, Jordan, MN (Scott County)

*State park vehicle permits are required at this location and are not sold on-site. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

9:00 a.m. Register Here, 10:30 a.m. Register Here, 1:00 p.m. Register Here

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

 9:00 a.m. Register Here, 10:30 a.m. Register Here, 1:00 p.m. Register Here

Contact Jonathan Osthus with any questions

(651) 201-6248, jonathan.osthus@state.mn.us

Emerald Ash Borer Flight Season Begins May 1

Minnesota Department of Agriculture considers May 1 – September 30 to be the flight season for EAB. This means that EAB adult beetles are emerging from infested wood or trees and flying in search of new hosts during this time. EAB larvae complete their development by pupating into adult beetles in the spring and early summer. However, this process only occurs when temperatures are sufficiently warm and the whole process requires a certain amount of accumulated heat – i.e., development time. Accumulated heat can be measured and tracked by using degree days which are a measure of time spent above a threshold temperature. For EAB a base temperature of 50° F is used and the following are estimated thresholds for EAB activity:

  • 450 degree days – first EAB adults may begin emerging
  • 900-1100 degree days – peak EAB adult activity
  • Current base 50° F degree day accumulations for Minnesota are available from US degree-day mapping calculator.

EAB and How it Spreads

EAB is an insect that attacks and kills ash trees. It is spread through short distance natural flight and  infested firewood transported long distance. The adults are small, iridescent green beetles that live outside of trees during the summer months. The larvae are grub or worm-like and live underneath the bark of ash trees. Trees are killed by the tunneling of the larvae under the tree's bark. Check out this video on the life cycle of EAB.

This video was produced with the collaboration of the faculty and students of Art Institutes International and McNally Smith College of Music, with technical assistance provided by MDA, DNR, University of Minnesota Extension and with funding from USDA.

What can I do about EAB?

  • Don't import materials to Minnesota that could harbor EAB such as firewood and all ash material.MDA certified firewood logo
  • Don't move firewood unless it's MDA Certified firewood (look for the MDA Certified Seal)
  • Remember that it is illegal to move all non-coniferous firewood outside of EAB quarantine areas and into Minnesota. See map of emerald ash borer status in Minnesota.
  • Become knowledgeable about recognizing EAB and remain vigilant to the condition of your ash trees.
  • Stay informed on EAB by signing up to our monthly Plant Pest Insider e-newsletter.

How to Report EAB

You can report EAB to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture several ways.

  1. Contact Report A Pest via our new online reporting formemail or by leaving a detailed phone message at 1-888-545-6684. 
  2. Send a report through the Great Lakes Early Detection Network App.
  3. Login or create an EDDMapS Midwest account and submit a report.

What are the Common Myths about EAB?  

Emerald ash borer is a devastating pest; our choices now for ash trees near an outbreak are either treat or remove. Slowing the actual spread of EAB may mean economic viability for cities that are affected. If nothing is done to slow the spread, EAB can kill all area ash trees in a very short time. Slowing the spread means a city can spend $1 million a year on ash tree removal for eight years, instead of spending $8 million in one year for all the dead trees. Spreading the costs over many years is easier on any city’s budget, and that city’s taxpayers. Another reason is to buy time to let the science catch up: detection methods are improving and more is being learned about EAB weaknesses. Additional research is needed, but it takes time. While it’s unlikely there will be a silver bullet, if scientists can find enough weaknesses in EAB, we may be able to save ash tree species in the U.S.

Ash trees killed by EAB dry out quickly and become hazard trees in less time than after a normal tree death. Hazard trees are trees that can be dangerous because of the possibility of them falling over or large branches breaking off, with a potential to cause personal injury to people. In addition, a recent study by the U.S. Forest Service found that the decrease in tree numbers due to EAB in the Detroit, Michigan area (where EAB started) caused an increase in human mortality related to cardiovascular and respiratory systems.