Ohio city warns of invasive insect wiping out plants

OHIO — It’s an invasive insect that has previously caused quarantines and can wipe out foundational shrubs in its path.

We’re talking about the box tree moth, and one Ohio city is warning residents to keep a lookout.

The box tree moth was first detected in the state in 2023, and since then, its population has spread, especially in the southern part of the state. Earlier this year, there was a quarantine already in effect for some counties because of it.

While the city of Centerville is warning its residents about them, these insects can be dangerous to the environment anywhere because, just as their namesake, they quickly defoliate boxwoods and will strip bark once they run out of leaves to eat, according to The Ohio State University.

“It’s a tricky thing, because the boxwood has been a primary pillar of Midwest landscapes for decades now,” said Jotham Smith, horticulturist with Centerville Public Works and liaison for the Centerville City Beautiful Commission’s affiliation with Tree City USA. “Because everyone has them, pests and diseases can easily spread from one yard to the next.”

There are two ways to identify the box tree moth:

• As moths, they have two distinctive white dots on their front wings. Light-colored wings are more common than dark-colored wings.
• As caterpillars, they have a distinctive green to greenish-yellow with black stripes and black dots on boxwoods.

If you spot a box tree moth, the city of Centerville recommends these steps:

1. “Do not make preventative insecticide applications to boxwoods. Only perform insecticide applications if a boxwood is identified to have a box tree caterpillar infestation or boxwoods in proximity have a confirmed infestation of the box tree caterpillar.
2. Monitor your boxwoods as the box tree moth and caterpillar can appear anywhere. Be aware of what to look for.
3. The Ohio State University Extension Office provides a list of over-the-counter caterpillar insecticides that can help treat infestations. You can download a list from the university’s website.
4. You can also contact a private horticulture professional to evaluate your boxwood and provide possible treatment options.”

Additionally, you can take a photo of the box tree moth and submit a report to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which tracks them.