APHIS Establishes a Quarantine for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in New York State

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2022-13
March 23, 2022

 

Subject:     APHIS Establishes a Quarantine for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in New York State

To:             State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective immediately, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the New York State Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM), is establishing a quarantine for the box tree moth (BTM) in Erie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties in the State of New York.

BTM is a destructive pest of boxwood (Buxus species). APHIS is taking this action in response to confirmed detections of all BTM life stages in Niagara County, New York. BTM was first detected in New York on July 16, 2021. This is the first detection of a breeding population of BTM in the United States. Since the initial detection, APHIS has worked with NYSAGM to restrict host movement, delimit the infestation, engage stakeholders, and conduct outreach. APHIS, NYSAGM, industry, and research partners are working closely to develop useful pest control tools.

APHIS is prohibiting the interstate movement of regulated articles of Buxus sp. from Erie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties in New York. Regulated articles include the whole plant, all plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead. APHIS is taking this action to prevent the spread of BTM to the rest of the United States. These measures parallel the intrastate quarantine that NYSAGM established on December 10, 2021.

The attached Federal Order outlines the safeguarding measures required for protecting the industry from this pest. The Federal Order and additional information about BTM may be found at:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/box-tree-moth

 For additional information, please contact the National Policy Manager, Allen Proxmire, at (301) 851-2307.

 

/s/

Mark L Davidson, DVM, MS
Acting Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine

Attachment:  Federal Order DA-2022-13