Box Tree Moth: Be on the lookout
- Ask Extension
- Health & Well-being
-
Agricultural Programs
- Agribusiness
- Animal Science
- Beginning Farmer Program
- Commercial Crops
- Delaware Soil Testing Program
- Disease Management
- Farm Vitality and Health Project
- Irrigation
- Nutrient Management
-
Insect Pest Management
- Insect Trapping Program
- IPM Hot Topics
- Commercial Field Crop Insect Management
- Commercial Field Crop Disease Management
- Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Crop Pest Management
- EIPM Implementation Projects
- Pollinators
- Research and Extension Demonstration Results
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Management, Research, and Resources
- Publications
- Pesticide Safety Education Program
- 91原创 Plant Diagnostic Clinic
- Variety Trials
- Weed Science
- Certified Crop Advisor Program
- Poultry Biosecurity
- 4-H
- Horticulture
Box Tree Moth:听Be on the Lookout
September 2025 |听Written by Brian Kunkel, Ornamentals IPM Specialist, Jill Pollok,听Plant Diagnostician and听Natalia Sierra
Box Tree Moth (BTM), an exotic invasive insect that is under quarantine in Delaware, has now been found in multiple locations in Kent County. Scout your boxwood plants for damage like the photos below. If you find BTM damage, please follow the protocol below for reporting.
听
What to look for:
Defoliation of leaves, brown or skeletonized leaves, webbing, and, of course, box tree caterpillars/moths. For more information and images: /academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/fact-sheets/box-tree-moth/.
听
Where to Report:
If you believe you have a BTM infestation, contact your local Cooperative Extension office and submit images or a physical sample. Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
听
Digital Images
Digital images should be submitted to the local county Extension agent. Three to four well-focused, quality images that show the overall symptoms on the whole plant, and close-ups of the symptoms are recommended. In some cases, a digital image is enough for a diagnosis, but we may request a physical sample to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
听
New Castle County: Carrie Murphy (cjmurphy@udel.edu)
Kent County: Megan Pleasanton (mpleasanton@desu.edu)
Sussex County: Tracy Wootten (wootten@udel.edu)
听
Physical Sample Drop-off Locations
If you are submitting a physical sample:
Submit samples in tightly sealed double-bags.
Put in the freezer for at least 2 hours before submitting, to kill the insects.
| New Castle County | Kent County | Sussex County |
|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Extension Office 461 Wyoming Rd. Newark, DE 302-831-2506 | Paradee Center 69 Transportation Rd. Dover, DE 302-730-4000 | Carvel Research & Education Center 16483 County Seat Hwy. Georgetown, DE 302-856-7303 |
Treatment Options
If the Box tree moth is confirmed, then treatments include:
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if the caterpillars are small (<0.5 inches)
Spinosad if the caterpillars are medium-sized (0.5 - 1.0 inch)
Pyrethroids (active ingredient ends in "-thrin") if the caterpillars are > 1.25 inches
Please refer to the for assistance in locating these products.
Contact our offices with any questions/concerns.
听
Additional Resources:
Insecticide Options for Box Tree Moth Management
USDA Box Tree Moth
听
91原创 Cooperative Extension
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Cooperative Extension is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
The 91原创 is an Equal Opportunity Institution and Provider.听Visit 91原创鈥檚听听to learn more.
Additional Links
531 South College Avenue Newark, DE 19716 (302) 831-2501