December 9, 2024

UPDATE: APHIS Establishes Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantines in Delaware and Pennsylvania

FROM APHIS EMAIL:

Subject:           APHIS Establishes Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantines in Delaware and Pennsylvania

To:                   State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), is adding the entire State of Delaware and Erie County, Pennsylvania to the box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) quarantined area.

APHIS is taking this action in response to the confirmed detections of BTM in a residence in Little Creek, Delaware, on July 11 and in Lakeside Cemetery in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania, on August 29. PDA has established an intrastate quarantine area for BTM that parallels the Federal quarantine. This Federal Order supersedes Federal Order DA-2024-17.

To prevent the spread of BTM, APHIS considers it necessary to regulate the interstate movement of regulated articles of boxwood from quarantined areas. Boxwood plants may only be moved interstate from a quarantined area from an establishment operating under a compliance agreement, and only if accompanied by a certificate issued by a state agricultural authority certifying that the requirements of this Federal Order and the compliance agreement have been met. These requirements will prevent producers and distributors of boxwood from moving infested plants interstate. State agricultural authorities may prescribe additional safeguards and protocols.

APHIS prohibits movement of all other regulated articles of boxwood, including plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead, except for decorative purposes.

The attached Federal Order (click here) and additional information about BTM are located on the APHIS box tree moth webpage. For additional information, you may contact:

Matthew Travis
National Policy Manager
580-240-5394
matthew.a.travis@usda.gov

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Please educate yourself about this in-bound pest here – Resources:

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October 3, 2024

Virtual and In-Person Credit Meetings this October – Rutgers Horticulture Plant Health Educational Series

We invite ALL horticulture professionals (nursery, greenhouse, Christmas tree, vegetable, row crops, fruit, turf management, arborist, landscape professionals, etc.) to attend the following educational sessions surrounding overall plant health topics, pest management principals, and pesticide use and safety considerations. The events on Thursday October 10th and Tuesday October 15th will be virtual (& free), and Tuesday October 22nd will be in-person ($30 fee) at the Cumberland County RCE building (see below).

The virtual courses will count as in-person credits so long as you follow these instructions. 

  • MUST have a live video feed (and are visible the entire time), upload a government issued photo ID —AND— NJ Pesticide license prior to the meeting (1 time for both 10/10 and 10/15) via a secure Rutgers Connect folder (follow directions below, only the agents will have access to information for verification), and participate in all poll questions.
  • MUST – UPLOAD Gov ID —AND— Pesticide License HERE – PRIOR TO MEETING (1 time for the whole series)
    • “Last name_ First_ Photo ID” AND “Last name_ First_ Pesticide License”
    • If you click on the photo ID upload link using a smart phone/tablet you will have the option of simply taking a photo of your IDs and uploading them directly into the system. Otherwise, you can scan a copy of your photo ID into a computer and follow the directions at the upload link. Please contact twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu if you are having trouble with this and we will assist you.

Rutgers is dedicated to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information safe.  Upon upload, your files will be encrypted and stored to Rutgers Connect. Your information will be kept strictly confidential; used solely to meet NJDEP ID verification protocol for recertification credit; and will not be used for any other purpose. Your files will be deleted within 60 days after the training series. 

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October 10th (TH) – virtual:

5:30-6:00pm: Login and ID verification: 5:30 – 6:00pm, (Poll #1 at 6:00pm)

6:00 – 7:00PM: Beech Leaf Disease & Experimental Treatment Options – Jean Epiphan RCE

  • Credits obtained: 2 each PP2, 2, 3A, 6B, 8C, 9, 10

7:15-8:15PM: How Chemicals Work and Which to Use – Tim Waller RCE

  • Credits obtained: 2 each – CORE, 1A, 3A, 3B, 6B, 8C, 10, PP2

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October 15th (TU) – virtual:

5:30-6:00pm: Login and ID verification: 5:30 – 6:00pm, (Poll #1 at 6:00pm)

6:00 – 7:00PM: Root Disease Management in Plants – Tim Waller RCE

  • Credits obtained: 2 each – PP2, 1A, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 6B, 8C, 10

7:15-8:15PM: Designing a Pesticide Regime – Tim Waller RCE

  • Credits obtained: 2 each – PP2, 1A, 3A, 3B, 3C, 6B, 8C, 10

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October 22nd (TU) – IN-PERSON (Cumberland County RCE – 291 Morton Ave. Millville, NJ 08332)

5:30-6:00pm: Arrival and sign in.

6:00 – 8:15PM: Horticultural Plant Health – CORE 101– Tim Waller RCE

Credits obtained: 4 each – CORE, 1A, 3A, 3B, 3C, 6B, 8C, PP2

  • Note for this in-person event (10/22/24) there is a $30.00 fee per participant. Only checks or cash will be accepted at the start of the event. Please make checks payable to “Rutgers the State Univ. of NJ”. Pre-registration is encouraged.
  • Registration: By phone – Cumberland County RCE Office: 856-451-2800, EXT 1, or walk-in (but be early, session will begin on-time).
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, pesticide credits Tagged With: , ,
July 22, 2024

UPDATE – Box tree moth confirmed at private residence in Kent County DE. BE ON THE LOOKOUT

UPDATE: Box Tree Moth has been positively confirmed in Kent County – DE. PLEASE BE VIGILANT

Click here to see the original link from DE.gov (write-up with more photos)  “The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has confirmed a find of box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) at a private residence in Kent County, Delaware. The box tree moth is a federally regulated pest that primarily feeds on boxwood species (Buxus spp.)”

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

If you think you see this on Boxwoods in the landscape, garden, commercial locations, parking lots, anywhere boxwoods are growing – we want to know!!

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • or
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Please educate yourself about this in-bound pest here – Resources:

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July 15, 2024

Box Tree Moth on the Horizon – BE VIGILANT NOW, like right now – Resources

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

Please educate yourself on this important in-bound pest. It is CRITICALY IMPORTANT we stay on top of this issue – as it can cause devastation on par with, or worse than, boxwood blight. We are not looking to cause alarm – just being pragmatic about this spreading invasive pest.

If you think you see this in the landscape, gardens, commercial locations, parking lots, anywhere boxwoods are growing we want to know!!

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • or
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Resources:

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June 17, 2024

Nursery Twilight – Cumberland Nurseries – THIS Thursday afternoon

Rutgers, in collaboration with Cumberland Nurseries and The New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association (NJNLA), will be holding the Annual Growers Meeting at Cumberland Nurseries this Thursday afternoon.

When: This Thursday 6/20/2024 (4-8PM)

Where: 1521 Bridgeton-Millville Pike, Millville, NJ 08332

Credits Available: 

  • NJ Pesticide Credits: 2x – CORE : 1x- 1A, 3A, 10, PP2

  • LTE/LTCO: 1.5, CNLP: 1.5 Environment

Registration is required: Click here to register and for more information

AGENDA
4:00 – 6:00pm: Networking, meal, sign-in.
6:00 – 7:00pm: CEU Seminar: Tim Waller, Rutgers “Back to Basics – Pesticide Use”.
7:00 – 7:30pm: Questions and Discussion.
7:30 – 8:00pm: Door prizes and networking.
8:00pm: Adjourn.

Tim Waller will be presenting on “Back to Basics – Pesticide Use” which will be split into two sections. Section 1 will principally focus on reminders related to safe handling and application of pesticides. Specific topics will include reminders related to navigating labels, understanding PPE requirements, how REI and PHI can impact day-to-day activities, along with reminders related to handler training and the pesticide certification process will be discussed. We will also look at sprayer calibration and component selection as this can critically impact both the volume of materials used, and the ultimate efficacy of pest management via pesticide applications. Section 2 will focus on the decision-making process when determining where an application will be directed (air blast foliar, drench, pre/post potting granular etc.) and the label language that would allow that, along with specific pest examples to include at least 1 insect pest, 1 foliar disease, and1 root disease. Seminar is geared towards reminding growers of safe and effective use techniques in their operation.

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, pesticide credits, Turf Tagged With: , ,
May 28, 2024

Box Tree Moth – Quarantine Expansion (all of MI, NY, OH, MA)

APHIS Establishes Quarantines for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Ohio, Expands Quarantines in Michigan and New York, and Establishes Conditions for the Interstate Movement of Regulated Articles of Buxus species.

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in cooperation with State Agricultural Authorities of the impacted States, is updating the box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) quarantined areas and establishing the conditions for the interstate movement of regulated articles of Buxus species, commonly called boxwood, from BTM quarantined areas.
“This Federal Order establishes quarantined areas in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Ohio and expands the quarantined areas in Michigan and New York for BTM to align with interior quarantines established in these States. Specifically, this Federal Order a) establishes a BTM quarantine in the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts, b) adds all of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne Counties to the BTM quarantines previously established in Lenawee and Washtenaw Counties and parts of Jackson and Monroe Counties in Michigan, c) adds all of Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Franklin, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Saint Lawrence, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties to the BTM quarantines previously established in Eerie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties in New York, and d) establishes quarantines in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio, as well as the portions of Montgomery County, Ohio, to the south of Interstate 70; and the portions of Greene County that are west of SR 68 to the north of Xenia, and west of interstate 42 to the south of Xenia in Ohio. This Federal Order supersedes DA-2022-13 and DA2023-18, to include these new areas and to incorporate changes to the requirements for interstate movement of regulated articles. Boxwood plants may only be moved interstate from a quarantined area from an establishment operating under a compliance agreement, and only if accompanied by a certificate issued by a State Agricultural Authority certifying that the requirements of this Federal Order and the compliance agreement have been met. These requirements will prevent producers and distributors of boxwood from moving infested plants interstate. State Agricultural Authorities may prescribe additional safeguards and protocols. All other regulated articles of boxwood, including plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead, except for decorative purposes, are prohibited from movement.

Uncertain what Box Tree Moth is?

Video: Click here for-  “Demystifying Box Tree Moth” – HRI 

Factsheet: Box Tree Moth: Fact Sheet, Management & Visual Guide

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