The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) animal and plant health inspection service has identified box tree moth (cydalima perspectalis) in the United States. This is the first detection of the invasive species in the nation.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was made aware that potentially infested boxwood plants were shipped to several Ohio nurseries and greenhouses from a supplier in Canada between August 2020 and April 2021.

ODA responded to the Ohio facilities that received these plants, immediately stopped the sale of boxwood, and is working in close cooperation with the facilities to destroy all high risk plants from these shipments.

Box tree moths can significantly damage and potentially kill boxwood plants if left unchecked. The insect is native to East Asia and has become a serious invasive pest in Europe, where it continues to spread.

The larval stage of the pest, which are caterpillars, leave behind a silky webbing while feeding. Box tree moth is found mostly infesting boxwood shrubs, but euonymus and holly species also can be hosts.

On May 26, the FDA health inspection service issued a federal order to halt the importation of host plants from Canada, including boxwood (Buxus spp.), euonymus (Euonymus spp.), and holly (Ilex spp.).

The ODA will continue trapping and visual inspection for box tree moths throughout the growing season.

For more information, visit ODA’s division of plant health website at agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests.