Northern Indiana "infested" with ash borer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — State officials say they have detected the emerald ash borer in three northern Indiana counties and one in central Indiana.

State entomologist Phil Marshall says there should be limited movement of ash material and firewood within those counties to reduce the spread of the invasive insect.

Since 2002, large infestations of the ash borer have killed millions of ash trees in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and other Midwestern states.

The South Bend Tribune reports there will be a new quarantine approach that will categorize the northern half of the state as "generally infested."

That means counties in that area can move materials across their borders but will have to obtain state compliance to take the materials outside the infested area.

Forty-two Indiana counties have reported emerald ash borers since 2004.