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Member Symposium

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Ornamental Entomology

Update on an invasion: Phenology, mating disruption and chemical control of the box tree moth in the US

Sunday, November 10, 2024
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 222 A, PCC
Oral Presentation
The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis, Lepidoptera: Crambidae; BTM) has been already declared to be established in several counties in New York, and has been also detected in Massachusetts, Michigan and Ohio, expecting to cause significant damage to boxwood plants being part of the urban and rural landscapes, in private residences, parks, garden centers and open-field nurseries. Based on the damage potential exhibited by BTM, high infestations of larvae can cause complete defoliation of affected trees, ultimately feeding on the bark and killing those trees. The primary purpose of this work was to better understand the phenology and biology of the BTM attacking boxwoods in its new US invasive range by filling-in information gaps, as well as to provide biology and ecology information to implement additional control tactics. Specific goals of this work included to: 1) document the in-field phenology of this pest in western New York, 2) describe the presence of any natural enemy preying upon this exotic prey item in the system, 3) evaluate the use of mating disruption with a targeted application of bio-rational insecticides, when used in an area-wide approach, and 4) test the efficacy of selected insecticides to control BTM. The proposed work ultimately supports developing control tools to support BTM management program goals and the US nursery industry.