MA Now Under Federal Quarantine Due To Invasive Moth

MASSACHUSETTS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has deemed the entire state a quarantine zone to prevent the spread of the box tree moth, an invasive pest that was first confirmed in the state last summer.

The quarantine means that boxwood plants — the main target of box tree moth caterpillars — can't be transported out of state, except by businesses operating under special agreements with the state Department of Agricultural Resources.

"Box tree moth is an invasive pest that feeds on the leaves of boxwood shrubs, popular plants commonly used in landscaping. The caterpillars can cause complete defoliation, eventually killing the plant," MDAR said in a news release Tuesday.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued the quarantine order Tuesday for all of Massachusetts, plus portions of New York, Ohio and Michigan — all places where the moth has been seen.

The box tree moth was first detected last summer in Barnstable County. State officials didn't immediately know how the moths got into the state, but they were found on established boxwood plants over two years old.

State officials want to hear from residents who see signs of box tree moths.

"Box tree moth eggs are typically laid in gelatinous masses on the underside of boxwood leaves, but may also be laid singly. Caterpillars can grow up to 1.5 inches long, and are yellowish green with a black head, and long black stripes and spots that reach from the head to the end of the body. The caterpillars create pockets of webbing within the boxwood shrubs to wall themselves off from predators," state officials described.

Massachusetts is under other pest-related quarantines. There's an Asian long horned beetle regulation zone across more than 70 miles of Worcester County, including the entire city of Worcester. No wood can be transported outside that zone to prevent the spread of the pest.

About a dozen communities, including Springfield, Framingham and Worcester, have confirmed spotted lantern fly infestations. That pest is known to feast on fruit trees and grape vines. Spotted lantern flies have been confirmed in dozens more communities across the state.