ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 24, 2026) ~ Annapolis, MD - The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have announced the expansion of the box tree moth quarantine into four additional counties, effective today, August 24.

The quarantine will now include Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne's counties due to confirmed sightings of the invasive pest in Caroline, Cecil, and Queen Anne's counties. Although there have been no confirmed sightings in Kent County yet, it is being included in the quarantine due to its proximity to the other affected counties and Delaware.

This brings the total number of Maryland counties under quarantine for the box tree moth to eight. In March 2026, a quarantine order was issued for Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties due to their proximity to neighboring states with established populations of the pest.

Businesses that grow and ship boxwoods are required to have a certificate of inspection and complete a compliance agreement with MDA in order to move regulated items into or from the quarantine zone. These documents can be found on MDA's website. Nursery owners and residents within the quarantine zone are also encouraged to monitor their boxwoods closely and take precautions to limit the risk of infestation.

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Early detection is crucial in preventing significant damage and loss from this destructive insect. The box tree moth is native to East Asia and was first identified in the United States in 2021 after being confirmed in New York. It has since spread rapidly to Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The caterpillars of this federally regulated insect are lime green with thin black stripes and can grow up to 1.5 inches long. They are difficult to spot when small but can cause significant damage as they feed on boxwoods primarily used as ornamental shrubs in landscaping. The caterpillars often feed on the underside of leaves making early infestations hard to detect. They also have a short development time and can live off the shrub for multiple generations, limiting its ability to recover.

Once fully defoliated, the caterpillars will begin to eat the bark of the shrub, cutting off its supply of water and nutrients in a process called girdling. This ultimately leads to the death of the shrub.

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To prevent the spread of this pest, MDA is urging residents to monitor their boxwoods for signs of defoliation, stripped back leaves, or caterpillar webs. If suspected, individuals are encouraged to report it through an online form on MDA's website. State and federal agricultural officials can also be contacted to inspect boxwood plants and place detection traps.

In cases where localized infestations are found, it is recommended to prune out the affected areas or completely remove infected shrubs. Any infested material should be double bagged and disposed of in the trash to prevent moths from escaping.

For more information on how to treat this pest, residents can visit the University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center or MDA's website. Any further questions can be directed to MDA via email at [email address].

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