Box Tree Moth
Scientific Name: Cydalima perspectalis
Order & Family: Lepidoptera: Crambidae
Size: Wingspan of 40-45 mm
Natural Habitat
Gardens, nurseries, and woodlands where boxwood plants (Buxus) are present
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed exclusively on the leaves and bark of boxwood (Buxus) species
Behavior Patterns
Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light; females lay egg clusters on the underside of boxwood leaves
Risks & Benefits
Highly invasive and destructive pest that can completely defoliate and kill boxwood shrubs; no significant ecosystem benefits in non-native regions
Identified on: 6/7/2026