Invasive insect found in Minnesota for 1st time

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) on Monday said an invasive insect has been found in the state for the first time.

The lily leaf beetle, which feeds on lilies and fritillaries, was spotted by a St. Paul resident. MDA staff then inspected the area and found an adult lily leaf beetle.

MDA said the beetle is native to Europe and Asia and is currently also in Canada, the northeastern U.S. and the states of Washington and Wisconsin.

The larvae can cause significant damage to lilies and fritillaries, and beetles reportedly will feed on other plants like hollyhocks, hostas, lily of the valley, potato and Solomon’s seal, according to MDA. However, they don’t damage daylilies, canna lilies or calla lilies.

The beetles are a bright red color, and the eggs are reddish and laid in lines on the undersides of leaves, MDA said.

If you see suspected lily leaf beetles, you’re urged to report it to MDA online, by emailing arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us or calling 1-888-545-6684.

You can find more information on the beetle here.