Box Tree Moth’s Are Chewing Their Way Through West Bloomfield Landscapes

The Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is a devastating invasive pest that threatens boxwood plants across West Bloomfield landscapes. Originally native to Asia, specifically North China and Korea, this moth has rapidly spread to Europe and now North America, causing significant damage to boxwood hedges and gardens.

Appearance and Lifecycle of Box Tree Moth

Adult box tree moths are distinctive, typically featuring white wings with dark brown borders and a wingspan of about 4-5 cm. The moths lay eggs on boxwood leaves, which hatch into caterpillars within three days. These caterpillars are visually striking, with green bodies adorned with white, yellow, and black stripes.

Destructive Impact

The most critical threat posed by box tree moths is their voracious feeding behavior. Caterpillars consume boxwood leaves and stems, often stripping plants until nothing but a brown skeleton of the plant remains. In severe infestations, all boxwood plantings in a landscape can be decimated.

Box tree moth feeding damage. | Dave Kidd, Owen Tree Service

Detection and Control of Box Tree Moth

Owen Tree arborists, or yourself, can identify an infestation by looking for:

• White webbing in shrub interiors
• "Peeled" leaf appearances
• Green-black caterpillar droppings
• Brown or scorched-looking shrubs

Control methods for box tree moth include:

• Spraying boxwood shrubs
• Using pheromone traps
• Physically removing caterpillars if there is only a small infestation

Box tree moths can survive extreme temperatures down to -22°F and produce multiple generations between May and October, making early detection crucial for managing their spread.

If you suspect box tree moths are on your boxwood shrubs contact Owen Tree and Lawn Care at 800-724-6680 to have them inspected by one of our ISA Certified Arborists.