Wasps Released in Hartley Park to Combat Emerald Ash Borers

The Wasps Are Not Known to Sting Humans

DULUTH, Minn.- Wasps may play a part in saving native Ash trees in Hartley Park in Duluth

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Officials released 3 species of wasps in the park to help combat Emerald Ash borers that have been found in the park. The wasps are parasitic insects that lay eggs in the larva or eggs of the Ash Borer, using the Ash borer as a meal for their own offspring.

“The hope is that we get an effective self-sustaining population of these wasps that will eliminate or control the emerald ash borer here in Hartley Park,” says Brett Amundson, the Director of Operations of Hartley Nature Center.

According to a park representative The wasps are a very small species and not known to bother or sting people.