The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) in Lincoln and Pipestone counties for the first time. There are now 62 counties in the state with EAB.
A property manager in Lincoln County found EAB at a campground on the northeast side of Lake Benton. A resident in Pipestone County noticed an EAB infested ash tree in the city of Jasper’s yard waste site. Experts with the MDA were able to confirm the presence of EAB in both cases.
EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Often, the trees show several signs of infestation because of this. Woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae, and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of emerald ash borer. Also, EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.
Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Lincoln and Pipestone counties, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of both counties. The quarantine limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the areas.
The MDA issues quarantines for all areas known to have EAB to reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.
A virtual informational meeting for residents and tree care professionals in Lincoln and Pipestone counties will be held with experts from the MDA. Staff will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.
Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meeting:
Wednesday, September 30
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Register on the MDA website
The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add Lincoln and Pipestone counties’ emergency quarantines to the state’s formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantines now through November 6 and recommends adopting the quarantine on November 9. The proposed quarantine language can be found on the MDA website.
Comments can be made during the virtual meeting or by contacting:
Mark Abrahamson
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Mark.Abrahamson@state.mn.us
There is more EAB information on the MDA website.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
