Pennsylvania
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Pennsylvania
Parts of central Pa. not getting snow overnight have a greater chance later this week
From minor snow and ice accumulations to almost 50-degree weather with sunny skies, and then a potential winter storm coming later this week, central Pennsylvania is getting it all, meteorologists said Monday night.
Tuesday’s winter storm is forecast to affect northern parts of the state, leaving the Harrisburg area mostly out of the drama, as meteorologists say a winter weather advisory will start at 1 a.m. for the following counties: Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter.
But the Harrisburg area and southeastern parts of the state will not be heavily affected by the wintry mix, as National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist John Banghoff said residents will see light snow that will transition into rain before 8 a.m.
There’s a chance of rain showers between 8 and 10 a.m., before the clouds eventually break. Highs will get into the mid-40s.
“We don’t expect any significant winter weather impacts for the Harrisburg area and southeast Tuesday morning,” Banghoff told PennLive.
The snow accumulation could be less than a half inch on Tuesday. Winds will pick up Tuesday night, with gusts to 25 mph and temperatures falling into the mid-30s, he said.
Christmas Eve will bring sunny skies with temperatures around 47.
Late Christmas Eve into Christmas morning, some areas, especially the southwest, might see light rain. In the central mountains, there could be a light mix of rain and snow.
Starting Christmas Day, temperatures are expected to again reach the mid-40s with the possibility of scattered rain showers, he said.
However, residents should take precaution with traveling on Friday, as meteorologists are monitoring a potential winter storm that could get messy, according to Banghoff.
Despite the uncertainty in terms of how Friday’s winter storm evolves, he said the northeast will see heavy snow, while the southwest will have a high chance of ice. Central Pennsylvania is in the zone of getting a mix of snow, ice and rain, he said.
“Whether it’s snow, sleet, freezing rain, or rain, there is increasing confidence that there could be fairly widespread impacts from a potential winter storm on Friday,” Banghoff said.
He’s telling residents who plan on traveling after Christmas to pay close attention to the forecast before hitting the road, as it might not be a great travel day.
In the aftermath of the storm, Saturday will be cloudy, with a high near 41. On Sunday, residents could see a chance of showers and cloudy skies, with a high near 47.
Pennsylvania
Could marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania next year?
(WHTM)– Recreational marijuana is not legal in Pennsylvania despite urging from a majority of Democrats in the legislature, but that could change in the new year due to an unlikely advocate.
President Trump issued an executive order last week moving marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which means highly addictive, to a Schedule III drug, which is less addictive with some medical benefit.
Many see this as the president legitimizing marijuana and giving political cover for Republicans, who have been resistant to supporting legalization.
The executive order also called for more solid research on the benefits and harms of marijuana.
John Gallagher, a researcher, addiction specialist, and professor at Alvernia University, voiced support for more research. He said more research is needed and won’t wade into the political debate over whether to legalize it.
He also said the marijuana industry’s claim that it is not addictive is not true.
“I go back to the two things that we know. Without a doubt, cannabis is absolutely an addicting drug for some. And cannabis absolutely has withdrawal symptoms for some people become dependent on it,” Gallagher said.
He added that it’s appropriate that it was re-classified from schedule one to schedule three because its addictiveness is not the same as that of some schedule one substances.
Gallagher suspects Pennsylvania will legalize adult-use cannabis, given all surrounding states have. He also said there hasn’t been enough research on its medical benefits.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Lottery Pick 2 Day, Pick 2 Evening results for Dec. 21, 2025
The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Pick 2 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
Day: 6-9, Wild: 1
Evening: 8-1, Wild: 0
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
Day: 5-8-0, Wild: 1
Evening: 0-8-5, Wild: 0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
Day: 0-7-4-5, Wild: 1
Evening: 6-3-0-0, Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
Day: 3-8-7-2-8, Wild: 1
Evening: 1-5-1-3-2, Wild: 0
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
15-25-30-40-55, Cash Ball: 02
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
11-20-31-36-38
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
05-11-13-25-27
Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Dec. 21 drawing
08-29-32-33-35-45
Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
- Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.
When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
- Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Iowa1 week agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Iowa1 week agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine7 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland1 week agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
New Mexico6 days agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
South Dakota1 week agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Detroit, MI1 week ago‘Love being a pedo’: Metro Detroit doctor, attorney, therapist accused in web of child porn chats
-
Health1 week ago‘Aggressive’ new flu variant sweeps globe as doctors warn of severe symptoms