Officials confirm emerald ash borer in Carlton, Lake counties
(U.S. Department of Agriculture / Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer in two more counties.
Agriculture officials said Monday the insect was found in Carlton and Lake counties for the first time.
The emerald ash borer has now been found in 34 Minnesota counties since 2009.
With the discovery, MDA has enacted emergency quarantines in Carlton and Lake counties to limit the movement of firewood and ash material out of the areas.
MDA says the insect was found in Lake County after a Superior Hiking Trail Association staff member noticed damage to a tree along a trail in Two Harbors. Additionally, MDA staff noticed extensive woodpecker damage to a tree in Cloquet while working and found live emerald ash borer larvae.