APHIS Expands the Quarantine for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Michigan

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2023-18
October 13, 2023

Subject: APHIS Expands the Quarantine for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Michigan

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective immediately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), is expanding the quarantine for the box tree moth (BTM, Cydalima perspectalis) to include all of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne Counties in Michigan. On May 30, 2023, APHIS issued Federal Order DA-2023-06, establishing a quarantine for the BTM in all of Lenawee and Washtenaw Counties and parts of Jackson and Monroe Counties, Michigan. This new Federal Order expands this quarantine and supersedes DA-2023-06.

APHIS is prohibiting the interstate movement of regulated articles of boxwood (Buxussp.) from Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties.

BTM is a destructive pest of boxwood and was detected in Lenawee County, Michigan, on November 2, 2022. Since that detection, APHIS has been working with MDARD to restrict host movement, delimit the infestation, engage stakeholders, and conduct outreach. APHIS, MDARD, industry, and research partners are working closely to develop pest control tools.

Regulated articles include the whole plant, all plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead. APHIS is taking this action to prevent the spread of BTM to the rest of the United States. These measures parallel the intrastate quarantine that MDARD established on July 31, 2023, which expanded the quarantine they established on April 10, 2023.

The attached Federal Order outlines the safeguarding measures required for protecting the industry from this pest. The Federal Order and additional information about BTM are located on the APHIS box tree moth webpage. For additional information, please contact the National Policy Manager, Allen Proxmire, at allen.proxmire@usda.gov or 480-392-8754.

/s/

Dr. Mark L Davidson
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine 

Attachment: Federal Order DA-2023-18