Purpose of quarantine

The box tree moth is an introduced species that is known for ravenous feeding and defoliation of boxwood plants. Given its biology, multiple generations of box tree moth can occur during the growing season, and feeding damage is such that the boxwood plants cannot recover and succumb to the intensive feeding. The box tree moth has become established in portions of the Commonwealth and has the potential to spread to unregulated areas by natural means or through the movement of infested articles. The purpose of this quarantine is to prevent the artificial spread of the box tree moth to unregulated areas of the state by regulating the movement of those articles that pose a significant threat of transporting the box tree moth. Statutory Authority: § 3.2-703 of the Code of Virginia. Historical Notes: Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 17 , eff. March 11, 2026.