Illinois on Alert: Invasive Moth Sparks Multi-County Quarantine

Thanks to 2020 and the COVID pandemic, I get a little jumpy whenever I see or hear the word "quarantine".

I know that sometimes quarantines are necessary to protect communities from a threat that is spreading, but I didn't realize until today that an insect could be the reason for a multi-state quarantine.

Spongy Moth Emergency in Illinois

For several years residents throughout Illinois and Wisconsin have been worried about Emerald Ash Borer beetles killing all the ash trees in their yard, but now there is another pest in town that is more dangerous and less picky about what it destroys. It's called the Spongy Moth, aka, Gypsy Moth.

Here's the Spongy Moth in caterpillar form...

Just like the Spotted Lanternfly, the Spongy Moth should be on every Illinoisans' must-kill list. Here's why according to the USDA;

Spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) is a destructive, invasive insect that poses a danger to North America's forests. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of more than 300 species of trees and shrubs, eventually killing them. Female moths lay eggs on many outdoor surfaces—stacked firewood, trailers, grills, lawn furniture, and toys.

Are you beginning to understand why this insect is such a huge problem?

Illinois Counties In Spongy Moth Quarantine

To make people fully understand the dangers that spongy moths pose, the USDA has put several counties in Illinois under "Spongy Moth Quarantine":

How to Prevent Spongy Moths

The most important thing we can do to prevent the spread of spongy moths in Illinois is to NEVER bring home firewood from other states or places because this is how spongy moths like to travel.

Another important thing to do is kill these pests and their nests the minute you see them!

Here is what spongy moth egg masses look like on trees, and the female moths who lay them...

If you spot spongy moth nests in your neighborhood or yard, please contact the USDA immediately. Find out more information about spongy moths and how to prevent them, here.