The University of Minnesota announced on Tuesday a new study that found certain fungi in the state can kill the invasive emerald ash borer beetle.

Emerald ash borer was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. It kills trees by tunneling underneath the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. It's responsible for nearly wiping out the ash tree species in the state.

According to the university study, one tool that could help in the fight against the beetle is an autodissemination device that traps the pests and "coats them with spores of insect-killing fungi." The beetles can then fly out of the trap and spread the spores through mating.

Colin Peters

The study's lead author is Colin Peters, a graduate of College of Food, Agricultural and Natural

See Full Page