ST. PAUL, Minn., July 22 (UPI) -- An infestation of an invasive tree pest, the emerald ash borer, was found near other known infestations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota officials said.
The state Department of Agriculture said the invasive insect was discovered in an ash tree in a Shoreview residential neighborhood 10 miles from Minneapolis, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Friday.
How the emerald ash borers reached Shoreview is unknown, the department said, but announced it would be conducting surveys to determine an effective response to the infestation.
Since their accidental introduction into North America from Asia, emerald ash borers have killed millions of ash trees in 15 states.
Their larvae kill ash trees by tunneling into the wood and feeding on the tree's nutrients.
Since adult ash borers are poor fliers, the biggest risk of spreading infestation comes from people unknowingly transporting firewood or other ash wood products harboring their larvae, agriculture officials said.
