The boxwood moth is an invasive species of butterfly in Europe belonging to the Fanidae family. This insect comes from Asia and although its presence was recorded already in the second half of the 20th century, it has recently spread so much that it has become a real nuisance to gardeners.
It has become the nightmare of every owner. Boxwood moth larvae come to life in February. So it’s worth knowing what to do to get rid of them.
Fight with It’s not easy, but there are ways to get rid of it. It is worth acting quickly and early – while the population of these insects is still manageable.
Boxwood moth adults usually have white wings with a brown border, although they can also be shiny brown. However, the threat to the bushes are the larvae – green, with a black head and brown stripes. Their presence is easily recognized by eaten or gnawed leaves, as well as the plant turning brown and drying out.
Boxwood moth larvae they overwinter inside dense bushes, between the twigs. They wake up as soon as the temperature starts to slowly rise and stays above 0 degrees Celsius. February is therefore a good time to start the fight against the boxwood moth.
You should act as soon as the larvae start to wake up and eat the plant. Reducing the population before the larvae mature and lay eggs is key to saving the plant and shrubs around it.
Apparently, removing boxwood moth larvae by hand works best. However, it is also worth using home spraying – easy to prepare and quite effective. After its application, the larvae detach themselves from the twigs.
It can be prepared with 3 ingredients: vinegar, rapeseed oil and warm water. Mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar, 4 tablespoons of rapeseed oil and ½ liter of warm water, then pour the ready mixture into an atomizer and spray it generously on the inside of the bush.
Vinegar irritates pests, and rapeseed oil reduces their adhesion, making it difficult to stay on the twigs. Before spraying, it is worth spreading foil or agrotextile under the bush so that the falling larvae fall on it. They will be easier to remove. It is best to burn them, because leaving them on the ground will make them want to return to the plant or start feeding on another one.
