Box Tree Moth Quarantine Compliance

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Ryan Rieder

New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Division of Plant Industry

Google Earth, Aug 2025

Aug 2026

Google Earth, Aug 2025

Aug 2026

NJ Expanded Quarantine

August 2026

Box Tree Moth�Cydalima perspectalis

• Invasive pest of boxwood
• Feed on leaves and bark
• Native to East Asia
• Pest in Europe
• Introduced to U.S. in 2021

Life Cycle

• 2 -3 generations per year (in NJ)
• Overwinter as larvae (-22F)
• Can mature into adult moths in 14 days
• Eggs deposited on foliage
• Eggs hatch in about 3 days

Life Cycle

NJDA – NJ BTM Quarantine�June 24, 2026

Regulated Articles

• ALL Boxwood; Buxus species
• Including:
• Live plants
• Debris
• Dead material

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Trapping - Outside

• Green Bucket Trap
• During flight periods
• 60 ft apart
• 5 ft above soil
• Follow trapping schedule:

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Trapping - Inside

• Red plastic delta trap
• At least 2 traps per enclosure
• At least 60 ft apart
• 5 ft above floor
• Checked weekly during flight

Scouting

• Conducted by trained staff
• Scout weekly during flight, (April - October)
• Report BTM to NJDA within 2 business days
• Consult SAFARIS BTM adult phenology model to determine flight time

Insecticide Treatments

• NJDA Approved CA|PMP
• All boxwoods (min 2 treatments)

1 – Production Treatment

2 – Pre-Shipment Treatment (14 days)

• Treat within 7 days of a Pos (+)
• Re-treat to ensure control
• Retain treatment records (1 yr)

Pre-Shipment Inspection

• Performed by trained personnel
• Visually inspect all shipments
• No more than 24 hrs prior
• If BTM detected, notify

NJDA

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Certification

• Boxwood plants may only be shipped outside the quarantine if accompanied by a certificate from NJDA
• Certificate must accompany the shipment (attached to shipping docs)

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Pre-Shipment�Notification

• Must provide shipping info to the receiving state’s Certifying Authority
• Must include:
• Date
• Destination
• Quantities being shipped

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Training

• Business must train their personnel:
• ID of BTM (all stages)
• BTM feeding damage
• CA stipulations/rules
• Scouting methods

Record Keeping

• Maintained for 1 year (min)
• Available to NJDA upon request
• Including:
• Personnel training
• Sources (boxwood origin)
• Scouting Records
• Treatment Records
• Plant movement (location)

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• Maintained for (min) 12 months
• Available to NJDA
• Including:

6. Personnel training

7. Sourcing

7. Pre-shipment inspection

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6. Pre-shipment inspections

7. Shipping records

Non-Compliance

• Will result in suspension OR revocation of CA
• May result in shipment destruction upon arrival

Questions?