An invasive carrot-eating moth was first spotted in Minnesota.
Residents near Stillwater first noticed a purple carrot seed moth (also known as depressaria depressant) on dill plants and reported it to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. A few days later, Montgomery gave a second report of him.
With the help of the Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin, scientists made the identification from photographs.
"The impact of this insect is currently unknown, but it is associated with the flowers rather than the roots of the plant, so it should have minimal impact on carrot, celery and parsnip crops." ' said the supervisor Angie his Unborn. of the MDA's Pest Detection Unit. "Crops commonly grown for seed, such as fennel, dill, and coriander, may be where we see greater impact."
Purple carrot seed caterpillars feed on flowers. However, sometimes the flower parts are tied with webbing to prevent the use of herbs such as dill.
The caterpillars are dark and distinctive, with a green or reddish body color and many white spots on their bodies, officials said. They pupate in the web and emerge after some time as small purplish-grey adults.
This moth is native to Western Europe, Russia and China, and was first Discovered America in 2008. Recorded in southern Canada, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Most recently, it was discovered in Wisconsin in 2018 and Iowa in 2020.
Residents may report suspected purple carrot seed moths to the MDA's Report a Pest line by visiting {35. } Call or 1-888-545-6684.
