New invasive insect pest found in Virginia for the first time

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has confirmed the detection of a new invasive insect in the Commonwealth: the box tree moth.

Inspectors discovered the pest, Cydalima perspectalis, at four locations in Clarke and Loudoun counties. This marks the first time the species has been found in Virginia.

The box tree moth poses a serious threat to boxwood plants (Buxus species), a popular ornamental shrub in Virginia landscapes.

The insect's caterpillars are known for their voracious appetites and can quickly strip boxwood of its foliage. If infestations are left untreated, the damage can lead to plant death.

Box tree moths overwinter as larvae. Once temperatures rise, overwintering larvae emerge from silk chambers between leaves and typically begin feeding in March, continuing until they pupate in late April to early May. USDA photo by Hannah Nadel

VDACS officials said they will treat affected boxwood plants if the moth is confirmed on the property.

Native to East Asia, the box tree moth has become a major pest in Europe and was first detected in the U.S. in 2021 in New York by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Since then, it has spread to several other states, including Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

VDACS is actively surveying areas around the newly discovered sites to assess how far the infestation has spread. More surveys are planned in the coming weeks.

Adult box tree moths generally have white bodies with a brown head and abdomen tip. Their wings are white and slightly iridescent, with an irregular thick brown border, spanning 1.6 to 1.8 inches, at Forest Pest Methods Laboratory, Buzzards Bay, MA. USDA photo by Hannah Nadel

State officials are urging Virginia residents to inspect their boxwood plants and report any signs of damage. Reports can be submitted through the VDACS Invasive Species Reporting Tool, available on the department’s website by clicking here.

Early detection and rapid response are key to managing invasive species, VDACS emphasized.