By Stephen Smoot
One of the oldest and most popular ornamental shrubs also attracts one of the United States’ newest invasive pests.
The boxwood plant, also known by its Latin name buxus, has approximately 150 varieties. Its roots as an ornamental plant range back before written history to 4,000 BC. They can take the form of a spreading shrub or small tree and originate from Europe and Asia.
Low maintenance and fast rates of growth make them popular and relatively inexpensive options for landscaping. These elements of so many well-manicured yards, however, may soon come under threat throughout the Eastern Panhandle.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture confirmed the arrival of the Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Berkeley County.This pest originated in East Asia and was detected in New York State near Lake Ontario in 2021. It has extended its range southward to Pennsylvania and as far west as Michigan.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture “the caterpillars are ravenous feeders, and heavy infestations can completely defoliate host plants.” Once they consume all of the leaves, their appetite turns them toward the bark, “which eventually kills the plant.”
Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia State Commissioner of Agriculture shared that “early detection is critical and we’re asking homeowners and landscapers to keep an eye out and report any suspicious damage.”
The USDA offers several ways to identify a possible infestation. First, the moth starts life as a “lime-green caterpillar with black stripes, white spots, hairs, and a shiny black head.” As adults, they stay active mostly at night and feature “white wings with a thick brown border.”
They hide among the twigs and leaves of the affected plant and will grow to one and a half inches. A Box Tree Moth’s excrement resembles sawdust and the pest will leave tell-tale webbing in and around its area of activity. .Infested plants will show brown leaves and defoliation, missing leaves, or skeletonized leaves. Left untreated, a Box Tree Moth can run through several generations in a season. Property owners and nursery businesses should remain vigilant and check for signs of infestation regularly.
If an infestation is detected, remove the affected branch as soon as possible. Should an infestation have gone beyond a single branch, the owner should remove the entire plant from its base. The plant will grow back. Place all debris from the cutting in doubled up garbage bags and dispose with the garbage.
Those who suspect the presence of Box Tree Moths should contact the West Virginia Department of Agriculture by phone at (304) 558-2212 or email bugbusters@wvda.us. Be prepared to provide a photograph of the evidence or the bug itself.
