Box Tree Moth Infestation Spreads Across Winchester Area
The box tree moth infestation continues to cause significant damage to boxwood shrubs in the Winchester area. According to the USDA, this invasive pest can inflict substantial harm on boxwoods if left unchecked. Once the caterpillars hatch, they quickly begin eating the leaves and then the bark of the plants.
In Virginia, boxwoods are a popular ornamental shrub, with many being grown in Frederick and Clarke counties and the city of Winchester. The pest was first detected in the United States in New York in 2021 and later found in nearby Clarke and Loudoun counties in 2025. A quarantine was established on December 3, 2025, to slow the spread of the infestation.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has been treating confirmed infestations since last fall. However, VDACS officials have noted that the problem is widespread in the quarantine area, and property owners are being advised to treat their own boxwoods or hire someone to do it.