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In a recent news release, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that the spongy moth (L. dispar; formerly gypsy moth) monitoring program caught 101,763 male moths in 2022. This shattered the record number of 71,258 caught in 2013. Of the moths captured, almost 70 percent were trapped in Cook and Lake counties, which have been quarantined since 2014.
Cook and Lake County were the first and still the only counties quarantined in the state. Minnesota was the 21st state to partially quarantine for Gypsy Moths.
More than 19,000 traps were set in the spring of 2022. Those traps were fitted with phenome lures placed inside small cardboard boxes affixed to trees. Trappers removed the boxes in early fall and counted the male moths inside, relaying that number back to the MDA.
In the MDA news release, Kimberly Thielen Cremers, Plant Pest Regulatory and Mitigation Section Manager for the MDA, stated, “there is an important distinction that must be made in interpreting the latest survey results.
“While we did see a significant increase in male moth detections in traps this season, it doesn’t necessarily mean breeding populations of spongy moths have been established,” said Thielen Cremers.
When the MDA identifies isolated populations, it conducts treatments to eliminate the infestation or slow its establishment. Over the years, the MDA has eradicated dozens of infestations on thousands of acres across the state. Thielen Cremers noted that the department has been conducting population control treatments in the eastern half of Minnesota to slow the establishment of the pest in the state.
“The MDA has had over four decades of success in identifying, treating, and slowing the spread of this damaging forest pest into our state,” explained Thielen Cremers. The MDA is hopeful that future treatments and public adherence to pest mitigation regulations will control the spread and slow the establishment of future populations.
“The MDA will work with federal, state, and local partners to develop treatment plans in response to the latest monitoring results. As always, residents of affected areas and other interested parties will have the opportunity to review and comment on draft treatment plans before they are finalized. More information about spongy moths and the MDA’s control efforts can be found on the MDA website.”
Some history
With few natural predators in the U.S., this invasive species was brought from Europe to the Boston area in 1869 and have thrived. As a result, spongy moths have slowly eaten through most of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and parts of Canada, causing millions of dollars in damage.
First discovered in Minnesota in 1969 (Duluth), the moths became a problem soon after, and in 1973, the MDA, in conjunction with federal, state, tribal, and local officials, worked to slow their growth.
Cook County has been monitored since 2004 and treated since 2006. Treatment was designed to slow—not stop—the spread of the moths.
On the heels of a record number of spongy moths caught in Minnesota in 2013, with over 90 percent caught in Cook and Lake County, the state placed a quarantine on both counties restricting the movement of pulp wood, firewood, Christmas trees, trailers, and other items that might contain the spongy moths or their larvae.
Because of the quarantine, wood products sold or brought in from outside the area must be inspected, and loggers and lumber mill owners had to sign compliance agreements and receive special training. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $7,500 daily.
Loggers and mill owners argued that the compliance agreements were unnecessary, costing them time and money. The state argued the only way to slow the moths from spreading was by taking away some of their mobility. The moths and larvae are notorious for hitchhiking on wood products.
Because they are so numerous and have few predators, they move almost unimpeded, slowly across the country. Over the last 20 years, millions of acres have been sprayed with pesticides to slow the spread of spongy moths. But still, the moths are winning, advancing along the food trail.
The quarantine
In 2014 the MDA explained, “The quarantine is designed to limit the movement of high-risk materials but, at the same time, provide options for moving regulated articles pest-free and so as not to hinder commerce.”
Articles that require inspection and certification include Logs, posts, pulpwood, bark and bark products; nursery stock; Christmas trees; Firewood for commercial sale; Mobile homes and associated outdoor household articles (residential and camping equipment), and any other products, articles, or means of conveyance that may spread spongy moths.
But the late Wayne Brandt, executive director of the Minnesota Timber Association argued, “Bottom line, these rules will make it more expensive and more difficult to stay in business.
“They (MDA) need to convince us that imposing significant hardships on loggers and mill owners is going to make any real difference in the spread of gypsy moths,” added Brandt.
Arguments were made by the mills and loggers, but the compliance rules are still in place. Eight years have passed, and the quarantine looks like it’s here to stay.
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