Smarty Plants Podcast
Discover Smarty Plants, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's podcast that digs into the fascinating world of invasive species. Join expert guests as they share insights and solutions to protect our environment and agricultural resources. Visit Smarty Plants and start listening today.
Holiday Greenery Invasive Insects
Spongy moths lay their eggs in protected areas on both natural and artificial surfaces. Egg masses are quarter-sized fuzzy, tan colored and contain 500-100 eggs. Spongy moth is a pest with a host range up to 300 plants species. Spongy moth caterpillars defoliate trees and can impact forests and related industries. This species is currently under quarantine in Lake and Cook counties in the state of Minnesota and as well as other states across the Eastern US. They hitchhike on items like:
- Christmas trees
- Nursery stock
- Logs
- Firewood
- Recreation equipment, including campers, and lawn chairs
Spongy Moth
Spongy moths lay their eggs in protected areas on both natural and artificial surfaces. Egg masses are quarter-sized fuzzy, tan colored and contain 500-100 eggs. Spongy moth is a pest with a host range up to 300 plants species. Spongy moth caterpillars defoliate trees and can impact forests and related industries. This species is currently under quarantine in Lake and Cook counties in the state of Minnesota and as well as other states across the Eastern US. They hitchhike on items like:
- Christmas trees
- Nursery stock
- Logs
- Firewood
- Recreation equipment, including campers, and lawn chairs
Elongate hemlock scale is found almost exclusively on the underside of conifer needles. Given their small size and inconspicuous appearance, the elongate hemlock scale may appear to be dirt or debris to the untrained eye. Elongate hemlock scale has a host range up to 40 species of conifers and prefers: hemlock, fir, and spruce. It has been detected in Minnesota but not in landscape or natural areas. They can be found hitchhiking on:
- Christmas trees
- Holiday wreaths, bows, and sprays
- Nursery stock
Elongate Hemlock Scale Distribution
Elongate Hemlock Scale Biology
Spongy moths lay their eggs in protected areas on both natural and artificial surfaces. Egg masses are quarter-sized fuzzy, tan colored and contain 500-100 eggs. Spongy moth is a pest with a host range up to 300 plants species. Spongy moth caterpillars defoliate trees and can impact forests and related industries. This species is currently under quarantine in Lake and Cook counties in the state of Minnesota and as well as other states across the Eastern US. They hitchhike on items like:
- Christmas trees
- Nursery stock
- Logs
- Firewood
- Recreation equipment, including campers, and lawn chairs
Spotted lanternfly is a primary pest of vineyards and nursery stock, with a host range up to 65 plant species. It has not been found in Minnesota. It can be found clinging to most anything including:
- Christmas trees
- Plants
- Smooth building materials like bricks, stone, and metal
- Vehicles, trailers, and freight
A major pest of fruit trees and vegetables with a wide range of host plants, BMSB overwinters by invading and hitchhiking on manufactured items. It is established in parts of Minnesota. They are adept at stowing away on:
- Holiday greenery freight
- Cargo containers
- Vehicles
- Recreation vehicles
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Distribution
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Biology
Japanese maple scale has a large host range of mostly trees and shrubs. It has not been found in Minnesota. It can be found hitchhiking on:
- Holiday twigs and sprays of shrubs like dogwood and willow
- Nursery stock
Japanese maple scale is widely distributed throughout the eastern United States.
Spotted lanternfly is a primary pest of vineyards and nursery stock, with a host range up to 65 plant species. It has not been found in Minnesota. It can be found clinging to most anything including:
- Christmas trees
- Plants
- Smooth building materials like bricks, stone, and metal
- Vehicles, trailers, and freight
