State to begin treating parts of Illinois for gypsy moth

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Department of Agriculture will begin treating parts of northern Illinois infested with the gypsy moth, a destructive pest that eats more than 250 species of trees and shrubs but is partial to oak leaves.

Beginning Monday, low-flying helicopters are scheduled to begin spraying during early morning hours in parts of DuPage, Will and Ogle counties, weather permitting. About 1,442 acres will be treated with an application of BtK, a naturally occurring bacteria used by gardeners the department says is as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and is not harmful to humans or pets. A second application will be applied in the following two weeks, if weather permits.

Officials say the moths will devour almost anything leafy and green, and large populations of the gypsy moth can strip plants bare, making them vulnerable to other insects and disease. Trees also can die because of severe defoliation.

A second phase of treatments will take place in parts of Jo Daviess, Kendall, Ogle and Will Counties in June and will cover nearly 25,000 acres. Aircraft will again be used and will spread a pheromone, Splat GM-Organic, which prevents the moths from breeding.

The Agriculture Department has posted a map of treatment sites and more information online.