Invasive Box Tree Moth Found in Western New York
(Boxwood plants grown to form a hedge / Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture)
(Box Tree Moth / New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets)
ITHACA, NY -- The Box Tree Moth has been found in parts of Western New York. This invasive pest is a serious threat to boxwood plants, which are important in the U.S. nursery industry.
Boxwood plants are shrubs, and are often grown to make decorative low hedges. Signs of infestation include chewed up leaves, and defoliation. Box tree larvae are green and yellow with, white, yellow and black stripes as well as black spots.
The box tree moth’s presence in New York was confirmed on Wednesday by the State Department of Agriculture.
They’re asking for signs of infestation to be reported. You can do by going to agriculture.ny.gov, and filling out their Box Tree Moth Public Report.
Upcoming Radio Specials – April 2026
CREATIVES: MIGRATIONS: The 29th annual Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, hosted by Felix Teitelbaum The 2026 edition of FLEFF runs from March 27 – April 12. This year’s special theme is Migrations. Events and screenings will be held on Ithaca College’s campus and downtown at Cinemapolis. A live interview hosted by Felix Teitelbaum of The Scenic…
CREATIVES: MIGRATIONS: The 29th annual Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, hosted by Felix Teitelbaum 4/2
DJ Felix of The Scenic Route(every Thursday 12-2) talks to the organizers of the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF) about the 29th annual fest held this week at Ithaca College and Cinemapolis. The 2026 edition of FLEFF runs from March 27 – April 12. This year’s special theme is Migrations. Events and screenings will…
CREATIVES: Sylvie Froncek on the inaugural Old Greeny Fringe Fest, hosted by DJ Gianni – 4/22 & 4/26
Get to know festival organizer Sylvie Froncek and discover the weird and mystical events on the the horizon. Hosted by DJ Gianni of Songbird.mp3 (alternating Sunday mornings from 10-11am). Old Greeny Fringe Fest is a week-long (April 27th-May 3rd), fringe festival in celebration of the weird, wacky, and whimsical, rooted in the legend of Old…
CREATIVES: Author Sophie Pinkham on her new work ‘The Oak & the Lark: A Forest History of Russia’, hosted by DJ Jacob – 4/19 & 4/23
Cornell professor Sophie Pinkham‘s shares about her new book The Oak and the Larch: A Forest History of Russia, and also on the occasion of Ithaca College’s New Voices Literary Festival, in which Pinkham will participate (April 22-24). Hosted by DJ Jacob of Jamaican Clash (alternating Sundays from 7-9pm) From the Baltic to the Pacific,…
CREATIVES: Grammy-nominated violinist Ariana Kim discusses her journey into Carnatic music, hosted by Daniel Bass – 4/21 & 4/25
From Carnegie Hall to Karnataka, Grammy-nominated violinist Ariana Kim, Associate Professor of Music at Cornell, discusses her journey into Carnatic music during her semester studying violin in India in 2025. Hosted by Daniel Bass of Monsoon Radio (alternating Tuesday nights 7-9pm) “Noted by The New York Times for giving “the proceedings an invaluable central thread…
LIVE on WRFI: Lily Talmers on Lowlands Radio with DJ Somer – 4/18
Lily Talmer IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE on Saturday April 18th at 3pm on Lowlands Radio with Somer Lily Talmers writes of the innate divinity in humanity from a palpably Midwestern vantage. Her lyrics are spiritual and strange-vivid images that range from sludge-covered and dismal to childlike and wondrous. Every song on It Is Cyclical, Missing You was recorded…
‘The Undiscovered Country’ Guest Quentin Lewis Featured on the New York Times
Poet Quentin Lewis featured on WRFI’s limited series The Undiscovered Country in March 2025 is the focus of a recent New York Times article. Quentin Lewis is fighting his conviction while locked up at Wende Correctional in Western New York. Hear his poems. And listen as he joins Michael in conversation about writing in prison, Quentin’s…
Recent Radio Specials – March 2026
CREATIVES on WRFI: World Premiere of MILKWEED at the Kitchen Theatre with Playwright Wendy Dann and Director Emily Jackson – Airs 2/26 & 3/1 DJ Cristina of Spinsters Rock (alternating Friday nights 7-9pm) talks to playwright Wendy Dann and Emily Jackson about the world premiere of MILKWEED opening at the Kitchen Theatre on February 25th.“Milkweed is an intimate, surprising…
CREATIVES on WRFI: World Premiere of MILKWEED at the Kitchen Theatre with Playwright Wendy Dann and Director Emily Jackson – Airs 2/26 & 3/1
Airing live Thursday 2/26 at 5pm and again Wednesday 3/1 at 3pm at 88.1 FM Ithaca, 89.7 FM Southern Finger Lakes, and 91.9 FM Watkins Glen, or stream online at WRFI.org/Listen. Listen again at WRFI.org/archives, available for two weeks after broadcast, and at WRFI.org/creatives. DJ Cristina of Spinsters Rock (alternating Friday nights 7-9pm) talks to…
CREATIVES on WRFI: In Conversation- imPERMANENCE and the Ithaca Experimental Film Festival (ITHEX) – Airs 2/22 & 2/25
This special interview with air first Sunday 2/22 at 12pm and again Wednesday 2/25 at 5pm at 88.1 FM Ithaca, 89.7 FM Southern Finger Lakes, and 91.9 FM Watkins Glen, or stream online at WRFI.org/Listen. Hosted by DJ Rob of Lake Snake Radio. Listen again at WRFI.org/archives, available for two weeks after broadcast, and at…