Insecticide Options for Box Tree Moth Management
DOWNLOADApril 14, 2023 - Steven Frank, North Carolina State University; Dan Gilrein, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County; Matthew Havers, IR-4 Project, Rutgers University; Cristi Palmer, IR-4 Project, Rutgers University
This fact sheet contains a preliminary list of insecticide options for managing box tree moth in nurseries and landscapes. Since its discovery in Europe, very few insecticides have been evaluated for efficacy against box tree moth since most are not permitted for use on ornamental horticulture plants in Europe. Following is a selection of active ingredients found in commercial products labeled for caterpillar management likely to be effective against box tree moth. A few of these are also found in home garden formulations.
The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, feeds primarily on boxwoods (Buxus spp.) though it has been reported on a few other hosts (Euonymus, Ilex, Murraya). It is native to China, Korea, and other parts of Asia. Box tree moth was introduced into Europe in 2007 and rapidly spread across the continent, and in 2018 it was found in Ontario, Canada, the first detection in North America. Box tree moth is not known to be established in the US, but the risk of introduction is high. Moths can fly over two miles, and moths or caterpillars could travel on plants shipped across the border.
Box tree moths are up to 4 cm and have two color morphs. The morph seen in Canada has white wings with brown borders. The brown morph also found in Europe is almost entirely dark brown with characteristic white specks on the forewings. Males can be monitored with pheromone traps. Caterpillars are up to 2 cm and yellow to lime green with dark stripes. They eat boxwood leaves and bark and can quickly defoliate and even kill large hedges.
Caterpillars also create unsightly webbing and frass within plant canopies which protects them from predators and could reduce spray coverage and insecticide efficacy.
Many insecticides (Table 1) are labeled for control of caterpillars. Some broad-spectrum materials, such as some pyrethroids and carbaryl, may flare spider mites or other pests. Note label cautions concerning environmental and non-target risks.
Table 1. A selection of insecticides labeled for caterpillar management in nursery and/or landscape sites where boxwoods are grown. Re-entry intervals (REI) apply to production (nursery, greenhouse) uses.
Active |
IRAC MOA |
Example products1 |
Notes |
Azadirachtin |
UK |
Azatin O, Azatrol, others |
Use site varies by product. Available in organic-compatible formulations. Biopesticide. Most have 4 hour REI. |
Carbaryl |
1A |
Sevin, Carbaryl |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficial insects, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. 12-hour REI. |
Acephate |
1B |
Orthene, Acephate |
Only certain caterpillars on the label. Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. 24-hour REI. |
Bifenthrin |
3A |
OnyxPro, Talstar, others |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. Most products 12 hour REI. |
Cyfluthrin, beta- cyfluthrin |
3A |
Decathlon, Tempo, others |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. Most products 12 hour REI. |
Lambda- cyhalothrin |
3A |
Scimitar, others |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. Most products 24 hour REI. |
Deltamethrin |
3A |
Suspend |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. Most products 12 hour REI. |
Fenpropathrin |
3A |
Tame |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. Few caterpillars labeled on ornamentals. Most products 24 hour REI. |
Tau-fluvalinate |
3A |
Mavrik |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. For container nursery stock, outdoor plantings, greenhouse use. Most products 12 hour REI. |
Permethrin |
3A |
Astro, Perm-Up |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. Most products 12 hour REI. |
Pyrethrins |
3A |
Tersus, Pyganic, others |
Broad spectrum, harmful to beneficials, may cause secondary pest outbreaks. Most products 12 hour REI. Some organic-compatible products available. |
Acetamiprid |
4A |
TriStar, others |
Verify efficacy for target caterpillars. Low toxicity to honey bees used alone. Acetamiprid is used for sucking insects and boxwood leafminer. EPA reduced-risk for ornamentals. 12-hr REI. |
Spinosad |
5 |
Conserve, Entrust, others |
Used for caterpillars in greenhouses, nurseries, landscapes. Works on contact and through ingestion. Homeowner formulations available. Entrust is organic-compatible. 4-hr REI. |
Spinetoram + sulfoxaflor |
5 + 4C |
XXpire |
For use in greenhouses and nurseries but not landscapes. Not registered in NY or CA. 12-hr REI. |
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki and B. t. aizawai |
11 |
Dipel Pro DF, Javelin, Deliver (Btk); XenTari, Agree (Bta); others |
Bt kurstaki products are used in Europe for BTM management and appear to be effective. Must be ingested; apply when caterpillars are actively feeding. Biopesticide. 4-hr REI. |
Diflubenzuron |
15 |
Dimilin 4L, Adept |
Use site varies by product. Labeled only for certain caterpillars and other pests. 12-hour REI. |
Tebufenozide |
18 |
Confirm |
For Christmas trees. EPA reduced-risk for ornamentals. 4-hour REI. |
Methoxyfenozide |
18 |
Intrepid |
Not for use in NY. Labeled for certain caterpillars. 4-hour REI. |
Indoxacarb |
22A |
Provaunt |
For landscape use only. |
Chlorantraniliprole |
28 |
Acelepryn |
Foliar spray for caterpillars (systemic use for clearwing borers). Nursery, greenhouse & landscape use. Relatively low toxicity for bees and workers. EPA reduced-risk for ornamentals. No signal word on the Acelepryn label. 4-hr REI |
Cyantraniliprole |
28 |
Mainspring GNL |
Foliar spray or systemic drench for caterpillars in greenhouses, nurseries, landscapes. No outdoor uses in NY. EPA reduced-risk for nursery & greenhouse ornamentals. Note bee advisory. 4-hr REI |
Cyclaniliprole |
28 |
Sarisa |
Can be used in greenhouses, nurseries; not for residential use. Note bee advisory. Flonicamid combination broadens efficacy for aphids, psyllids and other sucking insects. 4-hr REI |
Cyclaniliprole + flonicamid |
28 + 29 |
Pradia |
1Products listed are examples for informational purposes and are not recommendations. There may be other formulations and generics. Verify product registration, uses, restrictions, and pollinator warnings before applying. More information here: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/southeastern-us-pest-control-guide-for-nursery-crops-and-landscape-plantings.