Update: Box Tree Moth Quarantine

Update: Box Tree Moth Quarantine

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has expanded the state's interior box tree moth (BTM, Cydalima perspectalis) quarantine to include Lapeer County, that went into effect on January 8, 2025. 

MDARD implemented a quarantine for box tree moth in 2023 to limit the spread of this destructive and invasive pest of boxwood. The quarantine restricts the movement of boxwood and any part of boxwood plants within or outside of the quarantined area. The quarantine area includes the entire counties of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne. 

Movement Within Quarantined Area 

Licensed nurseries located within any of the counties listed above are required to ensure that any boxwood articles moved within the quarantine area comply with MDARD’s Box Tree Moth Interior Quarantine by doing the following:  

• Ensure any boxwood plants are free from box tree moth (BTM, Cydalima perspectalis). This should be done by nursery personnel trained to identify signs of BTM on boxwood. 

• Do not move boxwood plants or plant parts if box tree moth life stages are found. Infested plants or plant parts must be destroyed or isolated from the rest of the boxwood and treated until life stages are no longer found. 

• Actively ensure boxwood sold from the facility does not leave the quarantine area.  

• Display a sign conspicuously in the retail area depicting the current box tree moth quarantined area. An up-to-date map can be found here. 

These requirements are described in detail in the attached Stipulation Sheet. 

Your facility address will be maintained by MDARD as a recipient of this notice. If you distribute boxwood, you must adhere to the attached Stipulation Sheet.  A signature is not required. If you are distributing boxwood and MDARD determines you did not follow the requirements outlined in the Stipulation Sheet, you will be in violation of the quarantine and subject to enforcement action which includes, but is not limited to, a monetary penalty. 

 Movement Outside of Quarantined Area 

As a reminder, if you intend to move boxwood out of the quarantine area, a compliance agreement must be signed and stringent stipulations followed. Contact your district inspector or MDARD’s Quarantine Compliance and Export Specialist Amber Neils at NeilsA@michigan.gov or 517-449-0786 for details.   

If you have any questions or comments regarding the box tree moth quarantine or would like a compliance agreement to ship Buxus outside the quarantine area, contact MDARD-NurseryCE@Michigan.gov. 

 

• BTM Quarantine Area Map.pdf
• Box tree moth interior quarantine.pdf
• BTM MOVEMENT WITHIN THE QUARANTINE AREA STIPULATION SHEET.pdf