The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is expanding the Box Tree Moth quarantine area to include seven additional counties, effective January 30, 2026. The new counties under quarantine are Preble, Clark, Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Lorain, Lake, and Lucas. This expansion follows the detection of the invasive insect in these areas between May and October last year. Previously quarantined counties include Miami, Montgomery, Greene, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren.
The quarantine aims to prevent the spread of the box tree moth by restricting the movement of boxwood shrubs within these regions. Landscapers and residents are advised to verify quarantine boundaries and avoid transporting these plants outside designated areas. “Box tree moths were detected in Ohio in June 2023,” near Hamilton and Clermont counties.
A map of the updated quarantine zone is available online. The box tree moth poses a threat to Ohio’s horticulture industry as it affects boxwood plantings—an essential part of the state’s nursery stock economy. Despite being an invasive pest from East Asia, it does not threaten native plants.
Federal and state officials urge reporting any suspected sightings through ODA’s reporting tool. ODA plant health inspectors and United States Department of Agriculture staff will conduct inspections and set traps for monitoring purposes.
Residents can help by identifying signs of infestation such as chewed or missing leaves on boxwood shrubs. If evidence is found, they should take a picture and report it. Caterpillars are identifiable by their green-yellow color with stripes and spots; adult moths have white wings with brown borders.
For further inquiries about the new regulation, landscape professionals can contact ODA’s Plant Pest Control Section at 614-728-6400.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture focuses on protecting Ohioans by ensuring food safety and promoting economic growth for farmers while offering regulatory oversight and conservation initiatives across the state (https://agri.ohio.gov/).
