Residents in two Minneapolis suburbs are about to learn about the mission of state officials to eradicate gypsy moth infestations in their cities this spring.
The infestations were discovered in Minnetonka and Richfield last year and are part of a record number of detections statewide. Last summer, the state Agriculture Department's trapping program caught more than 10,000 moths, far above the previous high of 3,600 in 2007.
Ranking among the nation's most destructive tree pests, gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large swaths of forest, with oak, poplar, birch and willow among their preferred hosts.
The moths are common in Wisconsin and are now threatening eastern Minnesota. They spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them travel by transporting firewood or other items that are carrying moth eggs.
Last year, the Agriculture Department's statewide gypsy moth monitoring program detected infestations in a 303-acre section of Minnetonka just south of Hwy. 7 between Williston Road and Interstate 494, and in a 382-acre tract of Richfield just west of Interstate 35W, between W. 65th and 72nd Streets.
Since 2002, the state has eliminated infestations in Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Edina and Brooklyn Park.
The open houses will offer residents information about the threat that gypsy moths pose to the environment and how officials plan to protect trees.
The first open house is Jan. 13, 6-8 p.m., at the Richfield Public Works Building, 1901 E. 66th St. The next is Jan. 15, 6-8 p.m., Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka.Star Tribune
