Country: United States

Title:

Cydalima perspectalis (Box Tree Moth): APHIS Establishes a Quarantine in West Virginia

Contact:
Devon Gaydos, Assistant National Policy Manager, at 240-457-0297 or devon.gaydos@usda.gov

Report:

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), is adding the entire State of West Virginia to the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis; BTM) quarantined areas.

APHIS is taking this action in response to confirmed BTM detections in Berkeley County on June 4, and in Morgan County on July 3. This Federal Order supersedes Federal Order DA-2025-29.

To prevent the spread of BTM, APHIS considers it necessary to regulate the interstate movement of regulated articles of boxwood from quarantined areas.

Establishments may only move boxwood plants interstate from quarantined areas if the establishment is operating under a compliance agreement, and only if the shipment is accompanied by a state-issued certificate certifying that the establishment has met the requirements of this Federal Order and their compliance agreement. These requirements facilitate the safe interstate movement of boxwood plants by producers and distributors. State agricultural authorities may prescribe additional safeguards and protocols.

APHIS prohibits movement of all other regulated articles of boxwood, including plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead, except for decorative purposes.

The APHIS BTM webpage has the attached Federal Order and additional information on this pest.

Under IPPC standards, Cydalima perspectalis is a pest that is present, not widely distributed and is under official control in the United States.

Posted Date: Jan. 7, 2026, 11:04 a.m.