4 more Illinois counties placed under gypsy moth quarantine

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Four more Illinois counties have been placed under quarantine to control the spread of voracious gypsy moth populations.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture issued a notice Friday adding Kendall, Kane, LaSalle and Will counties to the order. Cook, DuPage, Lake and McHenry counties are already listed.

The department seeks to quell the tree-and-shrub-destroying pests by treating infestations with pesticide alternatives and certifying nursery or lumber products transported outside county borders.

It is also asking residents to inspect vehicles and outdoor items for egg masses, live moths or caterpillars before taking them outside the quarantine zone.

Gypsy moths can strip plants bare, causing tree death. They will devour almost anything leafy-green.

Males are brown with black markings. Their female counterparts are cream-colored and cannot fly under the weight of their eggs.