ST. PAUL, Minn. – With the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations planning to tackle gypsy moth infestations in northeastern Minnesota this summer, the department is inviting people to learn about the effort at open houses to be held March 22-24 in St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties.
Ranked among America’s most destructive tree pests, gypsy moth has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England to Wisconsin in recent decades. Gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest, with oak, poplar, birch and willow among their preferred hosts. The pests are common in Wisconsin and are now threatening eastern Minnesota. More information about gypsy moths and MDA’s battle against these forest pests can be found on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth.
MDA maintains a monitoring program to watch for start-up infestations, and when an infestation is found, the department conducts suppression treatments to slow their spread. In 2010, MDA found infestations covering nearly 114,000 acres in St. Louis, Carlton, Cook and Lake Counties. The department is now developing treatment plans for the affected areas, including sites near Tofte, Fourmile Lake, Finland, Beaver Bay, Gooseberry Falls, Carrol Trail, Thompson Lake, Barrs Lake, Duluth and Proctor.
Over the years, MDA has successfully treated dozens of gypsy moth infestations across eastern Minnesota from Grand Portage to Winona County. These treatments slow the spread of gypsy moth, saving communities and homeowners money and protecting the health of the state’s forests. Unfortunately, the number and intensity of localized infestations continues to rise as the main population of gypsy moths moves closer to the state.
MDA and local officials are working together to develop plans for treating the northeastern Minnesota infestations this summer. The department will host seven open houses to share information with citizens about the threat gypsy moths pose to the environment, and how officials plan to protect forests.
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE
Date Location Time
March 22 Proctor Community Center, 100 Pionk Drive, Proctor 4-6 pm
March 22 Portman Community Center, 4601 McCulloch St., Duluth 6-8 pm
March 23 Central Hillside Community Center, 12 E. 4th St., Duluth 11am-1pm
March 23 Boulder Lake Learning Center, 7328 Boulder Dam Rd., Duluth 5-7 pm
March 24 Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center, 3206 Hwy 61, Two Harbors 11am-1pm
March 24 Central Hillside Community Center, 12 E. 4th St., Duluth 4-6pm
March 24 Morgan Park Community Center, 1302 88th Ave. W., Duluth 5-7pm
