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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is enlisting the public’s help in the early detection efforts of tree of heaven and spotted lanternfly. Tree of heaven is an invasive weed and preferred host for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect. These two pests have not been established in the state but are spreading towards Minnesota’s southeast border. The public in Goodhue, Houston, Fillmore, Wabasha, and Winona counties can help minimize the potential effects caused by these two pests by detecting and reporting their presence to the MDA.

If tree of heaven is present in these counties, residents will most likely spot it along roadsides and near railways. The trees look similar to staghorn sumac, ash, and walnut trees. It can reach heights of 70 feet and has compound leaves that can be 1-4 feet in length with 11-41 leaflets. The flowers are small, yellowish-green, and arranged in large clusters at the ends of the leaves. It produces winged fruit like maple trees that hang in long clusters. Tree of heaven also emits a strong, offensive odor that distinguishes it from other plants.

Residents in these five counties should be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly starting in mid to late July. The insect larvae are black with white spots, but closer to adulthood are red with spots. In the nymph stage, the pest does not fly; it is black or red with white spots. The adults are large at 1 to 1.5 inches long and are a combination of black, white, and red with spots.

“These two invasives could both be a threat to Minnesota, causing environmental and economic damage if established,” said Angie Ambourn, MDA Pest Detection Unit Supervisor. “The public’s help in early detection and reporting these invasives is key to successful early management efforts.”

If you suspect you have seen tree of heaven or spotted lanternfly, report it to the MDA utilizing their Report a Pest service, by emailing reportapest@state.mn.us or calling 1-888-545-6684. More information is available on this early detection effort on the MDA website. You can also help by taking part of a participatory science survey put on through UMN Extension and the MDA.

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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us

Minnesota farmers who have chlorpyrifos insecticide products made by two manufacturers can now arrange to return the products. Corteva Agriscience and ADAMA US have been given permission by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take back the chemicals.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture cancelled chlorpyrifos product registrations for use on food and feed on January 1, 2022, in conjunction with the EPA cancelling all food and feed tolerances for chlorpyrifos in the U.S. A “tolerance” represents the maximum level of pesticide residue legally allowed in or on raw agricultural commodities and processed food and feed. Without tolerance levels, food and feed are considered adulterated when the product is found on them. This has stopped the use of chlorpyrifos on all food and feed and made it illegal to use, sell, or distribute any of these products.

Individuals with existing products listed below should contact their distributor or retailer to arrange for returns to Corteva or ADAMA. Additional information can be found online or by contacting ADAMA an 866-406-6262 or ordergroup@adama.com, or Corteva at 800-258-3033.

Those with existing stocks of other chlorpyrifos products with no available uses should continue to store the product according to label directions. If you have chlorpyrifos products that need to be disposed of, check with your dealer, co-op, or ag retailer to see if they will take back products. If they will not, please use the MDA's Waste Pesticide Collection Program. For volumes of more than 300 pounds, call MDA’s Jane Boerboom at 612-214-6843. If other disposal or product return options become available, the MDA will provide more information through its website.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us