The primary goal of this agreement is to implement a survey and regulatory program for box tree moth (BTM) to address the risk that the unmanaged BTM population in ontario, canada represents to new…

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) received a $250,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) effective June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. The award funds a comprehensive survey and regulatory program to contain Box Tree Moth (BTM), an invasive species currently unmanaged in Ontario, Canada that poses a significant risk to U.S. and New York agricultural resources. NYSAGM will conduct surveys and inspections at a minimum of 400 nursery grower and plant dealer establishments within and outside the BTM quarantine area that grow or sell Buxus species (boxwood). The agency will deploy at minimum 100 traps outside the quarantine zone and implement a regulatory compliance agreement program to support systems-based BTM management approaches at participating establishments.

NYSAGM will also establish and maintain an online reporting system with Geographic Information System (GIS) capability to capture public BTM sightings, assess detected specimens for BTM presence or absence, and conduct outreach activities with nursery and landscape industry stakeholders to increase awareness and prevent human-assisted spread of BTM through susceptible host material sales. These early detection and regulatory efforts are designed to contain the pest in non-quarantine areas and protect New York's horticultural industry. Cornell University's Insect Diagnostic Lab will provide subrecipient support for diagnostic services related to the program.

Activities

New york state department of agriculture and markets (NYSAGM) will conduct surveys, regulatory, and outreach work at high-risk nursery and plant dealer establishments that grow or offer buxus SP. For sale within and outside of the BTM quarantine area. NYSAGM will conduct a regulatory compliance agreement program to support a systems approach to BTM in establishments. Any public sightings of BTM will be captured via an online reporting system with a GIS component. Reports submitted to NYSAGM will be assessed for presence or absence of BTM. NYSAGM will work with nursery grower and plant dealer establishments to limit the human assisted spread of BTM through the sale of susceptible host material. Deliverables and expected outcomes: early detection in non-quarantine areas through surveys, trapping, and inspection of boxwood will help in control of this pest. In addition, NYSAGM will continue to conduct outreach activities with nursery and landscape industry to evaluate the situation of awareness of the industry in mitigating the spread of BTM to high risk/consequence areas of the state. NYSAGM anticipate a minimum of 400 nursery grower/dealer establishments will be surveyed which could involve regulatory and/or survey work both in and out of the quarantine area during the growing season. NYSAGM will place at minimum, 100 traps outside the quarantine. Intended beneficiary(IES): this project will benefit the new york state horticulture industry and the public through BTM containment, and NYSAGM and USDA via furthering of a shared vision and strengthened relationship. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: the cornell university insect diagnostic lab will conduct screening of insect specimens collected.