(WWJ) The war on an invasive species of moth in Michigan is expanding.
Effective Dec. 11, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is expanding the interior box tree moth quarantine.
Officials said the moth isn’t a threat to the state’s natural resources, but it “can lead to significant defoliation and death of ornamental boxwood.”
The quarantine includes all of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland. St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
“By expanding this quarantine, we hope to keep box tree moths from moving to new areas in the state, while minimizing the impact on Michigan’s horticulture industry,” Mike Philip, MDARD’s Bureau Director of Environment and Sustainability, said. “MDARD is working closely with Michigan’s horticulture industry to ensure the safe trade of plant materials, and to minimize the impact on nurseries, greenhouses, and retailers both inside and outside of the quarantined area.”
The quarantine forbids the movement of “the whole plant, plant parts, and nursery stock of the genus Buxus, including all living and dead material” outside of the quarantined area. The genus Buxus includes boxwood.
One exemption is holiday greenery “such as wreaths, boughs, and grave blankets” as long as they are moved between Oct. 15 and Jan. 1, officials said.
Box tree moths have white wings with dark brown borders and a white dot or mark in the middle of each forwing. Caterpillars are yellow and green with white, yellow and black stripes and black spots.
Officials say it may be difficult to recognize the beginning of an infestation because caterpillars will hide in the leaves and twigs. They say to keep an eye out for “chewed, cut, or missing leaves, yellowing or brown leaves, white webbing, and green-black excrement on or around the plant. Larvae skeletonize the leaves and feed on the undersides, causing defoliation and dryness and eventually leading to the plant’s death.”
People who suspect they have an infestation should file a report with MDARD, officials said. They recommend checking boxwoods in the spring.
If MDARD confirms an infestation, residents should “remove infested branches or, for heavy infestations, cut the boxwood from its base (it should grow back from its roots). All boxwood debris should be double bagged in plastic and discarded with household trash. Some municipalities or trash vendors may have restrictions surrounding plant material disposal—check with your local waste management entity for guidance,” officials said.
Infestations can be reported online at www.Michigan.gov/ReportBTM. More information about the box tree moth can be found at www.Michigan.gov/invasives.