NYS Agriculture Department asks residents along Lake Ontario to report box tree moth

Box tree moth previously found in Niagara County, now reported in Monroe, Wayne & Cayuga counties

√ As part of response, department will survey for box tree moth on residential properties along Lake Ontario in Cayuga, Oswego & Jefferson counties

√ Quarantines now in place – invasive pest is major threat to boxwood plants, a valuable portion of US nursery industry

√ Photos of box tree moth can be found here

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced additional findings of the box tree moth, an invasive pest.

It stated, “The box tree moth is a major threat to boxwood plants, which are a valuable portion of the nursery and horticultural industry.

“Previously, the department had announced that box tree moth was found in Niagara County, near the Canadian border. The new finds, several of which were reported by area residents, have prompted the department to increase its survey and trapping along Lake Ontario. The department is now urging residents to report any additional sightings, which will help inspectors to assess impacted areas and reduce the spread of box tree moth in New York state.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The additional findings of the box tree moth outside the current quarantine area are concerning to the department. We want to make sure we minimize the spread of this invasive pest, which can cause extensive damage to boxwood plants, and part of our proactive effort is seeking help from the public. We urge residents to help us combat this pest by looking for box tree moth damage on their plants, and reporting it to us right away.”

As part of the state’s response efforts, inspectors from the department plan to visit residential properties along Lake Ontario in Cayuga, Oswego and Jefferson counties, with the landowner’s permission, to place traps for box tree moth. The department is also urging homeowners to look for signs of box tree moth infestation on their property, listed below. If box tree moth is suspected, the department is asking that residents report it here: https://agriculture.ny.gov/reportBTM.

The department also has a quarantine in place to manage the spread of box tree moth, which includes Niagara, Erie, and Orleans counties. The quarantine prohibits the sale and movement of boxwood to areas outside of the quarantine area, and requires companies selling boxwood to maintain sales records for inspection by the department’s horticultural inspectors. The department will revise the quarantine as necessary, depending on the outcome of its continued survey work.

In addition, the department has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on the management of box tree moth, with USDA staff trapping for box tree moth at the leading edge of the quarantine.

U.S. Department of Agriculture National Policy Manager Allen Proxmire said, “Residents can help prevent the box tree moth from spreading. Please allow state or federal agricultural officials to inspect your boxwoods and place an insect trap if they visit your property. If you have boxwoods, please inspect them for signs of box tree moth and, once you report it, treat or trim the plant to save it, because a box tree moth infestation is lethal to the plant.”

Property owners and managers looking for information on managing box tree moth infestations can contact their local Cornell Cooperative Extension office or visit the NYS Integrated Pest Management website at https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/box-tree-moth.

Box tree moth larvae are easily recognizable; they are green and yellow with white, yellow and black stripes and black spots. Signs of damage may not appear at the beginning of an infestation because young larvae hide among twigs and leaves. Signs of a box tree moth feeding on a plant include chewed, cut or missing leaves, yellowing or brown leaves, white webbing, and green-black excrement on or around the plant. Larvae skeletonize the leaves and feed on the bark, causing defoliation and dryness, eventually leading to the plant’s death.

Adult box tree moths generally have white bodies with a brown head and abdomen. Their wings are white and slightly iridescent, with an irregular thick brown border. Some adults have completely brown wings with a small white streak on each forewing. Males and females can show both colorations.

More information on box tree moth is available on the department’s website: https://agriculture.ny.gov/plant-industry/box-tree-moth.