Cornell Cooperative Extension has announced that an invasive pest that severely damages and sometimes kills boxwood plants has been found in Chautauqua County.
The Extension has received reports of Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in the area. The moth can cause severe damages if infestations go unmanaged. Home gardeners and landscapers are encouraged to learn more about BTM and help stop the spread.
The box tree moth (BTM) was first detected in Western New York in July 2021. Since then, established populations of BTM have been reported in Erie County, as well as Orleans County. The presence of this pest is new to Chautauqua County and puts boxwood plants in our area at risk of infestation. Although boxwood is not native to the United States, it is a popular landscape plant and has been used ornamentally since the 1600s…