Gypsy Moth Quarantine

As of July 2021, the Entomological Society of America has discontinued the use of “gypsy moth” as a common name for Lymantria dispar. A new common name has not yet been selected. The changes will need to be reconciled in accordance with federal and state regulations that will also need to be updated. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is committed to phasing out the discontinued common name and adopting the new common name when available. Documents and other materials will be updated to educate the public about the name change.

Gypsy Moth Quarantine and Regulatory Information

Gypsy moth is a serious invasive forest pest that requires a quarantine to slow it's spread. The gypsy moth quarantine limits the movement of certain items out of a designated area and is an effective tool in managing and slowing it's spread across the U.S. and Minnesota.

Gypsy moths are expert hitchhikers and are most commonly transported as egg masses. The female will lay her eggs on any solid surface increasing the risk of further distribution.

The following articles are regulated under gypsy moth quarantines

All stages of the gypsy moth life cycle including: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult moths
Logs, posts, sawbolts, and pulpwood
Bark and bark products
Nursery stock
Christmas trees, boughs, wreaths and garland
Firewood
Outdoor household articles
Mobile homes and associated items
Any other products, articles, or means of conveyance that present a high risk of artificial spread of gypsy moth

General Quarantine Information and Distribution

Minnesota's Lake and Cook counties are quarantined for gypsy moth, and have been so since July 1, 2014. Formal quarantine language.
USDA Gypsy Moth Information and Quarantine Regulations

Limited Permits

Limited permits expire annually on April 30th

All untreated regulated articles, such as sawbolts, pulpwood, or bark for fuel, must be accompanied by a limited permit when leaving gypsy moth quarantined areas. Untreated regulated articles can only be transported to specified locations in accordance with specialized conditions.

All MDA limited permits expire annually on April 30th. To obtain a limited permit, individuals must complete a training module provided by the MDA.

Limited Permit Training

Online and in person trainings are available. Trainings are usually provided in March and April each year. Contact the MDA if you need a limited permit after April 30 for the 2021 calendar year. Loggers and wood transporters typically need limited permits to move pulpwood, sawbolts, and bark for fuel.

Information about 2022 Limited Permit trainings will be provided by February 2022.

Compliance Agreements

A compliance agreement is a formal agreement between the state and an entity who handle or move regulated articles out of a quarantine. Compliance agreements establish standard operating procedures that meet the quarantine requirements to limit the risk of spreading gypsy moth. Compliance agreements are typically established with entities that handle and move sawlogs, firewood, bark, holiday greenery, and more.

Quarantine violations occur when companies or individuals transport regulated articles out of the quarantined area without appropriate documentation and can result in civil or criminal penalties. Entities that regularly move regulated articles can continue to do so if they are operating under a compliance agreement.

Gypsy moth female — Gypsy Moth Female and Egg Mass

gypsy moth caterpillar — Gypsy Moth Caterpillar

Information for: tourists, homeowners, and industries including nursery and lumber.

Outdoor Household Articles (patio items, camping equipment, firewood, etc.)

Self-inspection of all outdoor household articles using this checklist is required in order to move them out of the quarantine. Treat or remove any life stages found upon inspection. Before moving, check for the gypsy moth and complete the APHIS gypsy moth check list form while homeowners are packing up household goods to move interstate. For residents using a moving company or portable storage, the completed checklist must accompany the shipment.

Mobile Homes (RVs, mobile workspaces, etc.)

Inspection and documentation are required prior to moving outside of the quarantine. Qualified Certified Applicators or state/federal agriculture agencies may provide inspection assistance.

For questions on gypsy moth or the quarantine, call MDA’s Arrest the Pest Hotline at 888-545-6684 or email gypsy.moth@state.mn.us.

Nursery stock

Nursery stock shipped out of a quarantine by a nursery or dealer must be treated or visually inspected and certified pest-free. Shippers must be operating under a compliance agreement with state or federal agriculture agencies prior to moving stock.

Christmas Trees

Trees cut in a gypsy moth quarantined area must be treated during the growing season prior to shipping. Growers operating under a compliance agreement are eligible to certify, document, and ship loads.

Logs, Posts, Pulpwood, Bark and Bark Products

Shippers operating under a compliance agreement must document all loads leaving the quarantine and specify the destination. Treat or remove any life stages found upon inspection. Receivers of quarantined products must operate under a compliance agreement and follow the guidelines set within for processing procedures.