Supplemental data for: Biology and behaviour of the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis), an invasive nursery and landscape pest in southern Ontario

The box tree moth (BTM) (Cydalima perspectalis) is an invasive insect pest that was confirmed to be present in Etobicoke, Ontario by the CFIA in November, 2018. BTM attacks boxwood (Buxus sp.), a popular broadleaf plant used in residential and commercial gardens, hedges and topiary in Canada. For the nursery sector, boxwood represents a very high value, slow-growing crop in Ontario, Quebec and BC. BTM is a distinct threat to this industry causing severe defoliation that quickly leads to death of the plant in both young and mature specimens. This project focused on the development of a sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) program for BTM that includes monitoring, a phytosanitary protocol, BTM biology in Ontario (life cycle, plant phenology indicators, degree day), biological and chemical control tactics. The overarching objective of the project is to develop an effective IPM program for the that will allow the nursery industry and residential landowners to manage and slow the spread: 1) Survey and monitoring - delineate the dispersal of box tree moth from confirmed locations in Etobicoke; identify outbreaks in new areas away from Etobicoke but associated with boxwood in Ontario; 2) Investigate the biology, population ecology and behaviour of BTM in Ontario since they appear to be different from population in Asia and Europe; 3) IPM - strategies for BTM management will be investigated with a focus on biological (classical, augmentative and conservation) , and chemical (screening chemicals; biochemical biopesticides - mating disruption) controls; 4) Develop a BTM phytosanitary protocol/certification for commercial growers of box tree in an effort to retain export markets to the US.