Overview
Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is an invasive pest native to East Asia. After being introduced to Europe in 2007, it quickly spread across the continent. It was first detected in North America in 2018 in Ontario, Canada and later confirmed in Niagara County, New York in July 2021. It is believed that the moths flew or were blown into the area.
Caterpillars of this pest feed primarily on boxwoods (Buxus spp.) and will defoliate host plants, causing serious plant decline and death when infestations are heavy. Plant symptoms can include green-black frass and unsightly webbing/silk threads on the host plant. Box tree moth (BTM) larvae have also been observed moving onto bark feeding after the host plants’ leaves are gone, causing girdling and plant death.
Learn more about BTM from the Department's partner organizations:
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Pest Alert: Box Tree Moth
Read the Box Tree Moth Pest Alert issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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Agricultural Impact
BTM feeds on boxwoods, which are an important part of the United States nursery industry, with annual wholesale and retail sales estimated at a value of $140 million. They are typically known for being low maintenance, deer resistant hedges, and are a favorite shrub for topiary. After destroying boxwoods, its primary host, BTM will also feed on Euonymus (Euonymus spp.) and holly (Ilex spp.). Although these species are not currently being regulated domestically, movement into the United States is being regulated federally by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Our Work
The Department started surveying high risk areas in Niagara County for BTM after the initial findings in 2021 and have also found BTM larvae in a residential landscape in Youngstown, New York. Findings were confirmed by Cornell University and the USDA National Identification Services. Since the initial detection, the Department and APHIS have continued to survey for BTM with finds in Erie, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties. We request that residents and the horticulture industry also look for, take pictures of, and report any signs of infestation to agriculture.ny.gov/reportBTM.
Quarantine
The Department and USDA APHIS use quarantines to prevent the spread of invasive species into new areas. The Department established an intrastate quarantine to restrict the movement of boxwoods within the state. Regulated articles include the whole plant, all plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead. This quarantine also requires the prenotification of all boxwood plants shipped from quarantine areas both within New York as well as from quarantined areas outside of New York.
On May 22, 2024, USDA amended its Federal Order to update the box tree moth quarantine area and establish conditions for interstate movement of regulated articles of boxwood from quarantined areas.
“Boxwood plants may only be moved interstate from a quarantined area from an establishment operating under a compliance agreement, and only if accompanied by a certificate issued by a State Agricultural Authority certifying that the requirements of this Federal Order and the compliance agreement have been met.”
On December 19, 2023, USDA amended its Federal Order concerning import requirements for boxwood. “To prevent the introduction of BTM into the United States and territories, APHIS requires that Buxus spp. plants for planting produced in Canada be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating ‘The Buxus plants have been produced in a pest-free area for Cydalima perspectalis.’”
Take Action
We ask the public to allow State and federal agricultural officials to visit your property for inspections if you have boxwoods so that they can place traps on or near your property.
If you live inside Niagara, Erie, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, or Oswego County, you don’t need to report your findings. We encourage you to keep checking your boxwoods regularly for this pest. If you find a BTM infestation within these counties, remove infected branches by pruning them with a thinning cut. Then, dispose of material by double-bagging it in plastic bags and putting it out with your household trash. Dead, diseased, or damaged plant parts can be pruned out at any time of the year.
If you live outside of the counties listed above and find any signs of infestation, please take a picture and report it online at agriculture.ny.gov/reportBTM.