Late in 2018, box tree moth (Cyladima perspectalis) was detected in Toronto by a citizen scientist. In November 2018, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of the box tree moth in an urban neighbourhood within Etobicoke.
The landscape/horticulture profession responded by establishing the Box Tree Moth Industry Working Group to employ a targeted spray program and help to scout and communicate news of the new pest to growers, industry and homeowners.
Below are some handy resources for identifying and reporting box tree moth in order to control the threat for the rest of Canada.
April 26, 2019
Important notice to all growers and exporters of boxwood
USDA may inspect U.S. bound shipments of boxwood plants.
Box tree moth citizen monitoring program
CFIA, OMAFRA and Landscape Ontario are holding an information session for homeowners at James Gardens in Etobicoke, Ont., May 9.
Volunteers to support box tree moth control
Landscape and horticulture professionals who work with varieties of buxus are asked to report all sightings of this new pest so CFIA can track and monitor in order to accurately address the potential threat.
Article, April 17, 2019
Landscape Ontario leading a program to control the spread of box tree moth
Includes a brief history, links to reporting tools and apps, information on control and pest identification cards
Box tree moth identification card
CFIA has printed business-card sized pest ID cards that show the pest in various stages, including larva, webbing and an actual-sized host.
The reverse side shows eggs, early larval damage on boxwood and late larval damage.
