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Penn State experts weigh in on the threat posed by box tree moths

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Penn State experts weigh in on the threat posed by box tree moths


Identifying box tree moths

Most adult box tree moths are primarily white, with a border of brown along the edges of their wings. Around 5% are completely brown. Skvarla says they bear a slight resemblance to melonworm moths, which are native to North America, but are otherwise distinctive for our area.

By the time you’re noticing moths, however, the damage may already be done.

“The caterpillar stage is the most damaging stage,” Skvarla said. “It’s the almost mature caterpillars that are doing the majority of feeding. It can kill boxwoods quickly. There are some reports that boxwoods will die within a year of heavy feeding. Part of the problem is the caterpillars, especially in heavy infestations, will strip all of the leaves off of the boxwood. Once they strip the leaves, if they’re still hungry, they’ll start chewing on the bark.”

Boxwoods may be able to recover from damage to their leaves, but once the caterpillars start stripping the bark, entire branches can die off — which can mean death for the plants.

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“Even if they do recover, the shape of the bush is often lost,” Skvarla said. “So there goes the aesthetic value of having them in ornamental planting.”

The caterpillars are lime green with yellow, white and black stripes running along each side.

But the easiest way to identify them, Skvarla says, may be simply to keep an eye on your boxwoods.

“There are no other caterpillar pests on boxwood in North America,” Skvarla said. “So if you find a caterpillar on boxwoods, it’s a pretty good guess that it’s going to be a box tree moth.”

Dealing with box tree moths

Unlike with spotted lanternflies, Skvarla doesn’t recommend stomping any and all caterpillars or moths that you think might be box trees.

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“Most times, private homeowners are going to be aware of infestations because of the damage they see to their boxwoods, not because of the moths that they’re seeing flying around,” he said. “So if your boxwood is really damaged, that’s the time to start going, ‘Well, maybe this is a box tree moth. I should look further, look for caterpillars, maybe look for moths.’”

The first step for anyone who suspects they might have an infestation is to monitor their boxwoods, says Patricia Prade, an entomologist with Penn State Extension who specializes in controlling pests and invasive species.

“You need to know if you have this insect,” Prade said. “So you need to constantly check if you see any larvae.”

One way to confirm whether or not you have an infestation is to purchase pheromone traps geared specifically toward box tree moths.

Prade says there are a few options for curbing box tree moths. Her first suggestion is to simply pluck them off, or trim away the infested areas.

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“If you’re a homeowner, for example, and you see some caterpillars, you can handpick them and kill them easily,” she said. “It can be challenging if you have a lot of plants infested, but if you have just a couple, you can cut a branch or something like that. That’s very targeted, right? It’s a very good way to control them fast and not to just spray chemicals on the environment.”

Because box tree moths are so new, Prade says, studies are still being done to find out what chemicals are most effective against them while being the least damaging to other life. In the meantime, she says, homeowners can seek out pesticides targeted toward caterpillars, which are likely to kill box tree moths.



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Pennsylvania State Police resume Operation Safe Stop initiative

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Pennsylvania State Police resume Operation Safe Stop initiative


Police are on the lookout for drivers who are breaking the law when it comes to driving around school buses as part of the ongoing Operation Safe Stop initiative.

The premise behind Operation Safe Stop is to get motorists to pay more attention to school buses when they’re operating motor vehicles around them, as authorities have noted an increase in incidents and close calls between school buses and other vehicles.

State police say those who violate these rules often have varying reasons for doing it, but none of them are good excuses.

“Every morning, we all know there are school buses on the road,” said Trooper Kalee Barnhart with the Pennsylvania State Police.

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Every year, students are killed or injured getting on or off the bus. The most recent numbers tell a sad tale.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, about 17,000 children end up in the emergency room annually after school bus-related incidents, with 19 school-age students getting killed as riders and pedestrians.

“It does get reported frequently,” said David Schreiber, the transportation supervisor at the Bentworth School District.

“Troopers and local police will be working with school bus drivers and school officials to identify high-violation areas and increase patrols where violations are most common,” Trooper Barnhart added.

State police say what’s most perplexing is the fact that the rules regarding how drivers should deal with school buses are pretty simple.

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“When the red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended, you must stop, whether you are approaching from behind or coming from the opposite direction,” Trooper Barnhart said.

Dangerous driving around school buses isn’t new, but law enforcement says it’s happening more, likely for several reasons.

“Distracted driving plays a huge role,” Trooper Barnhart added. “Additionally, everyone is in a hurry.”

For drivers who don’t follow the rules, there are steep penalties they could face for these infractions, including a $250 fine, five points added to the driver’s license, and a 60-day license suspension, all for the first offense.

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Tony Danza brings ‘Standards and Stories’ show to Pottstown, Pa. and Atlantic City, N.J.

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Tony Danza brings ‘Standards and Stories’ show to Pottstown, Pa. and Atlantic City, N.J.


POTTSTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — You may know Tony Danza from TV and the big screen, but this weekend, he’s taking the stage for two shows in the Philadelphia area to prove he’s a jack of all trades.

Danza is bringing his show “Standards and Stories” to Pottstown.

He says there will be songs and stories, but also dancing, ukelele playing and a lot of laughs.

“It’s like the Italian fantasy, you know, a microphone, a tuxedo and a stool,” Danza says. “I am living the dream.”

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Danza is coming to town for not one, but two performances.

“I’m the host in my show,” he laughs. “And I’m all the other acts.”

He sings the standards, like Frank Sinatra.

“He’s the greatest,” he says. “I’m sorry, I’m Italian. I know I’m biased.”

He also tap dances in this show and plays the ukelele.

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“I try to make it a show experience,” he says.

Danza is no stranger to the Philadelphia area.

“I have to say hello to my school, Northeast High,” he says. “Go Vikings! It was one of the craziest things I’ve ever done, and one of the best things I’ve ever done, being a teacher.”

Danza also runs a non-profit called The Stars of Tomorrow Project.

“It’s teen acting,” he says. “Acting, voice, movement and wellness. Because when you teach a kid how to act, you teach a kid how to act.”

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This weekend, you’ll see Danza here, on stage.

“I’ll be in the Italian uniform,” he says. “A tuxedo.”

Tony Danza has two upcoming shows in the area.

First, he’s at the Sunny Brook Ballroom in Pottstown on October 25th. Then, he will be at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City on November 13th.

For tickets and more information, visit: https://souljoels.com/shop/tickets/tonydanza/

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Pennsylvania man allegedly shot and killed mother’s romantic fling mid-hookup in victim’s truck

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Pennsylvania man allegedly shot and killed mother’s romantic fling mid-hookup in victim’s truck


A Pennsylvania son tired of his mom’s late-night rendezvous called the cops on himself and allegedly admitted to killing his mother’s romantic partner while the couple was “hooking up” in the victim’s truck on Saturday.

Dylan Lang, 24, was charged with homicide after he snapped when he found his mother fooling around with her lover, 55-year-old Robert Hagen Jr., and shot him in their driveway, police said.

Lang claimed his mother and Hagen were having sexual relations for several days. He told cops he finally spun “out of control” after the pair went out drinking on Friday evening and came back to continue their romp sesh outside the family home early in the morning, according to authorities.

Dylan Lang, 24, was charged with criminal homicide for allegedly killing his mother’s lover. CamCo Prison
Police responded to calls of a shooting at a Jackson Township home shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday. WJAC

Lang allegedly stormed outside with a 9mm handgun when he noticed the pair “hooking up” in Hagen’s truck, which was parked in the driveway of the family’s Jackson Township home — which he shares with his mother, her ex-fiancé, and two other relatives, police told Fox 5.

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The fired-up son allegedly tried to point the firearm through the driver side window, but it wasn’t opened far enough. So, he shattered the rear window and allegedly fired two shots at Hagen through the back of the seat.

Hagen was fatally struck in the upper torso while attempting to back his truck out of the driveway. He lost control and the truck wound up rolling right into the front yard, police said.

All the while, Lang’s shaken mother, who was still inside the vehicle with Hagen, was reportedly screaming “You shot him!” at her son.

Lang, too, reportedly phoned 911 and told dispatchers, “I just shot someone in my driveway. I f–ked up.”

Robert Hagen Jr., 55, was found dead in his truck “with his pants around his ankles.” WJAC

When police arrived at the grisly scene shortly before 4 a.m., they found Hagen inside the truck bloodied “with his pants around his ankles,” the outlet reported.

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Lang is being held without bail at the Cambria County Prison on charges for criminal homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.

State police were called to lead an investigation into the shooting.



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