- If you think you have discovered Palmer amaranth should take clear photos of the plant(s) showing the leaves, stems and flowers/seedheads, record the location, mark the plant with a flag or flagging tape (to assist with relocating if necessary) and report it through MDA’s Report A Pest website ( https://www.mda.state.mn.us/reportapest ). Upload pictures taken of the plant(s) and provide the location (latitude/longitude) and other requested information.
- The MDA may need more information to positively identify Palmer amaranth from the pictures you have submitted. Therefore, a genetic test may be required. Along with collecting the location information, taking pictures and reporting to Arrest the Pest, it is advised that you also complete the following steps:
- If a fruiting seedhead is present, collect the entire seed head by clipping it at its base and putting into a plastic bag with a piece of wet paper towel.
- Collect five leaves from the greenest growing portion of the plant. Place leaves in a plastic bag with a piece of paper towel.
- Do not put wet leaves or seedheads into the plastic bag. Let them dry to touch before bagging.
- If the MDA asks you to submit the sample, please review and follow the Protocol for Palmer Amaranth Genetic Plant Material Collections
- If you think you have discovered Palmer amaranth should take clear photos of the plant(s) showing the leaves, stems and flowers/seedheads, record the location, mark the plant with a flag or flagging tape (to assist with relocating if necessary) and report it through MDA’s Report A Pest website ( https://www.mda.state.mn.us/reportapest ). Upload pictures taken of the plant(s) and provide the location (latitude/longitude) and other requested information.
- The MDA may need more information to positively identify Palmer amaranth from the pictures you have submitted. Therefore, a genetic test may be required. Along with collecting the location information, taking pictures and reporting to Arrest the Pest, it is advised that you also complete the following steps:
- If a fruiting seedhead is present, collect the entire seed head by clipping it at its base and putting into a plastic bag with a piece of wet paper towel.
- Collect five leaves from the greenest growing portion of the plant. Place leaves in a plastic bag with a piece of paper towel.
- Do not put wet leaves or seedheads into the plastic bag. Let them dry to touch before bagging.
- If the MDA asks you to submit the sample, please review and follow the Protocol for Palmer Amaranth Genetic Plant Material Collections
The plant labeling law, commonly referred to as the “pollinator labeling law,” is Minnesota Statutes Chapter 18H.14(e). The statute, effective July 1, 2014 and revised in 2015, requires that plants labeled or advertised as “beneficial to pollinators” must be free of detectable levels of systemic insecticides. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will enforce the law which is designed to protect pollinators, such as honeybees, from exposure to systemic insecticides. The specific language is:
"A person selling at retail or providing to the end user of plant material may not label or advertise an annual plant, bedding plant, or other plant, plant material, or nursery stock as beneficial to pollinators if the annual plant, bedding plant, plant material or nursery stock has been treated with and has a detectable level of systemic insecticide that: (1) has a pollinator protection box on the label; or (2) has a pollinator, bee, or honey bee precautionary statement in the environmental hazards section of the insecticide product label; and a concentration in its flowers greater than the no observed adverse effect level of a systemic insecticide."
Simply put: If, at the point of sale in Minnesota, plants are advertised as attractive or beneficial to pollinators then those plants must not have in their flowers levels of systemic insecticides from products that carry the indicated label language toxic to honeybees.
The plant labeling law, commonly referred to as the “pollinator labeling law,” is Minnesota Statutes Chapter 18H.14(e). The statute, effective July 1, 2014 and revised in 2015, requires that plants labeled or advertised as “beneficial to pollinators” must be free of detectable levels of systemic insecticides. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will enforce the law which is designed to protect pollinators, such as honeybees, from exposure to systemic insecticides. The specific language is:
"A person selling at retail or providing to the end user of plant material may not label or advertise an annual plant, bedding plant, or other plant, plant material, or nursery stock as beneficial to pollinators if the annual plant, bedding plant, plant material or nursery stock has been treated with and has a detectable level of systemic insecticide that: (1) has a pollinator protection box on the label; or (2) has a pollinator, bee, or honey bee precautionary statement in the environmental hazards section of the insecticide product label; and a concentration in its flowers greater than the no observed adverse effect level of a systemic insecticide."
Simply put: If, at the point of sale in Minnesota, plants are advertised as attractive or beneficial to pollinators then those plants must not have in their flowers levels of systemic insecticides from products that carry the indicated label language toxic to honeybees.
