An example of the damage caused by the Boxwood Tree Moth.
There is good news from the Animal and Plant Health Inspections Service (APHIS) this month! APHIS has approved the federal order restricting the importation of Buxus, Euonymous, and Ilex from Canada, in an effort to reduce the possibility of introduction of the Boxwood Tree Moth to the United States. This amendment is an important step in the right direction to protect boxwood and other crops from infestation.
Although the Boxwood Tree Moth has not been found in the United States, it has devastated boxwood production in Europe and was identified in Ontario, Canada in October 2018. Since then, Canada has been working to mitigate the spread of the pest.
This recent amendment, effective as of March 3, 2020, states that, “the importation of all propagative plant material, except seeds, of certain hosts of box tree moth are Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis.” It also states new requirements for shipments imported from Canada, including phytosanitary certificates with an additional declaration certifying that the plants fulfill certain requirements. These plants must have been produced in a facility or area recognized by CFIA as free of box tree moth or, the shipment has been officially inspected and found to be free of the pest.
Steps like these drastically decrease the movement of possibly infected material. Unfortunately, without protections like these, invasive species can quickly spread and cause devastation. Taking the necessary actions early in the process drastically reduces the likelihood of an introduction of this pest.
Both the larvae (caterpillar) and pupae stages of the Box Tree Moth, characterized by their bright green color with black stripes.
The adult form of the Box Tree Moth with the distinct white “cresent” shaped spot on each wing.