Even though I'm not a bug lover I still understand that bugs serve an important purpose on earth. However, there are some bugs here in Minnesota that are invasive. Four, in particular, are featured by the USDA and we should be on the lookout for them.

While there are more than these four bugs that are invasive species in Minnesota, these four are featured on the USDA's website because Minnesota has "some crop, forest, or urban area(s) where [these] pests or diseases could survive year-round." So there would be no opportunity for nature to wipe them out.

Image of brown butterfly(Moth) on green leaves. Insect Animal
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Asian Gypsy Moth

I'd say lots of people know about these moths. They attack trees and shrubs and can cause a serious problem if not under control.

Anoplophora glabripennis.
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Asian Longhorned Beetle

These guys really do look like they have long horns. They're a threat to hardwood trees and national forests and once they do their damage, there's no cure to help the trees.

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Oak splendour beetle, also known as the oak buprestid beetle (Agrilus) in its natural environment. A comon beetle.
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Emerald Ash Borer Beetle

We've all heard about these bad boys and I'm pretty sure we all know that they're a big threat to the ash tree population.

Khapra beetle Trogoderma granarium Dermestidae family pest of stored grain
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Khapra Beetle

And finally, I hadn't heard of the khapra beetle before. But I guess they attack stored grain products and seeds, so definitely bad news for farmers.

If you see one of these bugs, it's not a bad idea to squash them. This is also why it's important to not move firewood to prevent the further spread of these invasive species.

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