Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is advising home gardeners and landscapers about recent reports in the county of an invasive pest called the box tree moth (BTM). It severely damages, and in some cases, kills boxwood plants if infestations go unmanaged. The box tree moth was first detected in Western New York in July 2021. Since then, established populations of BTM have been reported in Erie County and Orleans counties. According to CCE Chautauqua, 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.
BTM is most easily recognized by the webbing made by the caterpillars as they grow to maturity. This is often the first sign of detection. Other signs of early detection include chewed, cut, or “peeled” leaves, scattered green/black frass (caterpillar droppings), as…..