Box Tree Moth Found in Kent County, Delaware

Box Tree Moth Found in Kent County, Delaware

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported the discovery of the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) recently at a Kent County home. The box tree moth is an invasive species typically found in New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Ohio. The box tree moth is a federally regulated pest that primarily feeds on boxwood species (Buxus spp.). If left unchecked, it causes significant damage and can potentially kill the plants. Boxwoods are a popular ornamental evergreen shrub common to many landscape environments in the United States.

Learn more about the box tree moth –
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/box-tree-moth

What You Can Do
Help prevent this invasive pest from spreading by monitoring, reporting, and controlling infestations.

  • If you have boxwoods in your landscape, monitor your shrubs for brown or skeletonized leaves, defoliation, and webbing with caterpillars.
  • Contact Delaware Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners at the Garden Helpline to report a suspected find and learn what pest management tools are available:
    • New Castle County: 302-831-8862
    • Kent County: 302-730-4000
    • Sussex County: 302-831-3389
  • Allow Delaware or Federal agricultural officials to inspect your boxwood plants and place detection traps.
  • Remove infested boxwood plant branches. For heavy infestations, cut the boxwood from its base. Your plant should grow back from its roots. All boxwood debris should be double-bagged in plastic and placed in the trash. Homeowners should follow the Delaware Cooperative Extension’s pesticide recommendations.
  • Nursery owners should monitor their boxwoods and implement safeguards to limit pest risk. All nursery businesses should report box tree moth detections to the Delaware Department of Agriculture at DDA_PlantPests@delaware.gov.

Delaware News posting July 15, 2024

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