APHIS Establishes a Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantine in New Jersey

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 
DA-2026-30 
August 21, 2026

Subject: APHIS Establishes a Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantine in New Jersey
 
To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), is adding Cape May County to the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis; BTM) quarantine area. This action follows a confirmed BTM detection in Cape May County on May 20, 2026, and aligns with the intrastate quarantine NJDA established on June 24, 2026.

To prevent the spread of BTM, APHIS is regulating the interstate movement of boxwood from quarantined areas. You may only move boxwood regulated articles from quarantined areas if your establishment has a compliance agreement, and each shipment includes a state-issued certificate showing your establishment has met the requirements of Federal Order DA-2026-24 (185.7 KB) and your compliance agreement. These requirements help ensure boxwood can move safely between states. State agricultural authorities may require additional safeguards

APHIS prohibits movement of all other regulated articles of boxwood. This includes plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clipping, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead. These items may only move interstate for decorative uses.

Current Federal quarantine maps and descriptions are available on the APHIS BTM webpage. APHIS will also publish a notice of this change in the Federal Register.

For additional information you may contact:

Devon Gaydos 
National Policy Manager 
240-457-0297 
devon.gaydos@usda.gov

/s/

Matthew A. Rhoads 
Deputy Administrator 
Plant Protection and Quarantine