Box Tree Moth quarantine zone expands in Ohio to curb invasive species spread

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has announced an expansion of the quarantine zone for the Box Tree Moth (BTM), an invasive species threatening Ohio’s horticulture. Effective from March 10, 2025, the quarantine now includes several key counties across the state in an effort to control the pest’s spread.

The expanded quarantine affects Miami, Montgomery, Greene, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties. This decision follows the detection of the moth in these areas from May through October of the previous year. Initially identified in Ohio near the Hamilton and Clermont county border in June 2023, the Box Tree Moth has posed a serious risk to local boxwood plantings, a vital component of the state’s nursery stock economy.

The quarantine measures will restrict the movement of boxwood shrubs, a common landscaping plant, and the moth’s primary food source. The ODA is urging landscapers and residents within the quarantine boundaries to avoid transporting these plants out of the affected areas to prevent further spread of the pest.

Box Tree Moths originate from East Asia and are known for their destructive impact on boxwood shrubs. The adult moths have distinctive white, slightly iridescent wings with a thick brown border, and are primarily active at night. The caterpillars are easily recognizable by their green and yellow bodies, adorned with white, yellow, and black stripes and black spots.

Residents are encouraged to inspect their boxwood plants for signs of infestation, which include chewed or missing leaves, yellowing or brown foliage, white webbing, and green-black excrement around the plant. If signs of the Box Tree Moth are spotted, residents should take a photo and report it through the ODA’s official reporting tool.

ODA plant health inspectors, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, will be conducting further inspections and placing traps to monitor the moth populations. These efforts are crucial as the Box Tree Moth does not pose a threat to Ohio’s native plant species, but its impact on the horticulture industry can be severe.

Industry professionals and the public are asked to remain vigilant and report any suspected sightings of the Box Tree Moth. For inquiries related to the quarantine and regulations, contact the ODA’s Plant Pest Control Section at 614-728-6400.