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Box Tree Moth

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Box Tree Moth

Reviewed March 2025 | Written by:听Brian Kunkel, Grace Ferry, Mary Czarzasty, Naomie Pierre, Thoburn Freeman

Description

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The Box Tree Moth (BTM) caterpillars are green and hairy, with black stripes and white dots. They grow to about 1 to 2 inches. Adults are white with a thick brown border on the wings and are active at night.

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    Figure 1: Box Tree Caterpillar found in Kent County, Delaware, Grace Ferry, 91原创 Cooperative Extension
    Figure 1: Box Tree Caterpillar found in Kent County, Delaware, Grace Ferry, 91原创 Cooperative Extension
    Figure 2: Box Tree Moth, Szablocs S谩fi谩n, University of West Hungary, Bugwood.org
    Figure 2: Box Tree Moth, Szablocs S谩fi谩n, University of West Hungary, Bugwood.org

    Habitat

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    The Box Tree Moth is native to subtropical regions of Asia. The USDA confirmed its presence in New York听in 2021. They primarily feed on Buxus spp., but other hosts could include: Euonymus alatus, E. japonicus, or Ilex chinensis after nearby boxwoods are defoliated.

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    Life Cycle

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    Overwintering larvae emerge and feed in late May to early June.听 Adults will live up to 2 weeks after emergence. Females will lay their overlapping yellowish eggs (5-20) on the underside of boxwood leaves. Delaware may have 2 -3 generations.

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    Damage

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    Damaged boxwood leaves may appear 鈥減eeled鈥 or only have the mid-rib left behind. Heavily infested shrubs may appear brown, 鈥渟ee-through鈥 or 鈥渢orched.鈥 Caterpillars produce webbing and hide among leaves and twigs as they feed or pupate. They also consume the bark of twigs when few leaves remain which can kill the plant.



    Figure 3: Damage from Box Tree Moth, Ferenc Lakatos, University of Sopron, Bugwood.org
    Figure 3: Damage from Box Tree Moth, Ferenc Lakatos, University of Sopron, Bugwood.org

    Treatment

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    If caterpillars are small enough Bt is an effective treatment. However, if they are bigger other treatments are spinosad or pyrethroids like bifenthrin.

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