Why is the boxwood moth such a big problem?
It came from Asia and has become a permanent fixture in European gardens. The boxwood moth has been wreaking havoc in Poland for over 10 years. It prefers to attack, but it also feeds on bumblebees. holly and cherry laurel. Adults do not pose the greatest threat. The larvae are much more dangerous to plants. They feed on plants, causing them to completely die. It is worth knowing that an adult boxwood moth gives birth to several generations of larvae in one season. This means that the boxwood moth can completely strip the bushes in just a few months. A characteristic feature of the boxwood moth are white threads resembling spiderwebs that appear on infected bushes. Adults can also be seen flying around.
Mix these 2 ingredients and spray the plants. Home spray that will destroy the boxwood moth
Spraying is the best way to remove boxwood moth. In this way, the entire plant is covered with a preparation that acts directly on pests. This type of spraying is safe for plants. Among the purchased preparations, the most recommended are those containing . It enters the digestive tract of the caterpillars and produces crystalline proteins. The larvae die within 3 days. You can also use home remedies. They are less invasive, but often just as effective. Spraying rapeseed oil and vinegar will help fight the boxwood moth. In a bucket, mix 4 tablespoons of white vinegar, 4 tablespoons of oil and 0.5 liters of water. Pour everything into a spray bottle and spray the plants attacked by the boxwood moth. The oil settles on plant parts, preventing the spray from flowing to the ground too quickly. Additionally, the oil sticks to the pests’ bodies, causing them to rot and die. Vinegar, in turn, discourages adults from feeding and laying eggs. About 20 minutes after spraying, the larvae will begin to fall to the ground. They should be collected and burned. This type of spraying can be repeated regularly, once every few weeks.
When does the boxwood moth attack? Learn about its life cycle
The pest’s activity begins in spring, most often in April, and lasts continuously until autumn, even until October. In one season, the boxwood moth can give birth to two to even four generations of voracious larvae, which makes the fight against it extremely persistent. The first caterpillars start feeding immediately after wintering, and the next ones hatch cyclically throughout the summer.
It is the ability to reproduce so quickly that makes it extremely dangerous for our gardens. Particularly severe attacks are observed in summer, when warm and humid weather favors its development. Regular monitoring of bushes from early spring is crucial to intervene before the pests cause irreversible damage.
How to recognize the boxwood moth and its caterpillars?
The adult butterfly, although not dangerous to plants in itself, is a warning signal. It reaches a wingspan of about 4 cm, and its wings are most often light with a characteristic, dark brown border, which may have a purple sheen. Females lay their eggs deep inside the bushes, on the underside of the leaves, making their early detection difficult.
However, the real destruction is caused by the larvae. Young caterpillars are light green, and as they grow, black dots and dark, longitudinal stripes on the sides appear on them. They reach a length of up to 4 cm and they devour leaves and young boxwood shoots with incredible voraciousness. Their presence is also revealed by the droppings they leave behind and the delicate, silky yarns they wrap around the twigs.
When and how to spray boxwood? Key principles of effective spraying
The key to success in the fight against boxwood moth is the right moment of spraying. It is worth carrying out the first treatments at the beginning of the season, in April, as soon as we notice the first signs of feeding or adult butterflies. It is best to spray on a windless and dry, but cloudy day – in the early morning or evening. Avoid spraying in full sun as this may burn the plant’s leaves.
The application technique is equally important. The preparation should be spread very thoroughly over the entire plant, paying particular attention to its interior. It is there, in the thicket of twigs, that the females lay their eggs and the young larvae begin their destructive feeding. In case of a large pest invasion, spraying should be repeated regularly, for example every 7-10 days, to effectively eliminate subsequent generations hatching from eggs.
