Boxwood infested by mites

Boxwood spider mite (Eurytetranychus buxi)

Like various other pests - such as the dreaded one Box tree moth - it is the Boxwood spider mite also an immigrant parasite. The mite species originally comes from North America, from where it came to Europe through imports of plants. You can recognize an infestation by the following characteristics:

• White spots are visible on the leaves.
• The leaves gradually turn rusty red.
• The undersides appear greyish, fine webs can be visible.
• These can be seen well after spraying with a fine water mist.
• If the infestation is severe, the leaves are thrown off.

Fight boxwood spider mite

Spider mites are tiny at around half a millimeter in length and with bare eye barely visible. They occur more frequently in hot, dry and sunny areas Locations in appearance and can be driven away by increased humidity. You should therefore regularly spray boxwood with water in endangered locations and in appropriate weather. In the case of a stronger infestation, oil-based agents help very well, which should be used in autumn as well as in early spring - in this way you destroy the overwintering brood.

Gall mite (Aceria unguiculatus)

The so-called shoot tip gall mites are also extremely small and barely visible arachnids. As the name suggests, they sit preferentially on the shoot tips as well as on the still young leaves and in the buds. Here they tap into the leaf sap of the boxwood and cause considerable damage in the event of a strong infestation. Typical characteristics for an infestation with the gall mite are:

• Only the shoot tips are deformed.
• It looks compressed, the leaves are deformed.
• The rest of the plant shows no damage at first.
• Bulges reminiscent of knots appear on the leaves.
• Leaf buds have a thick rather than oblong shape.

Fight gall mite

Infested parts of the plant should be cut back immediately, at best as soon as the first signs appear in spring. In the case of a strong infestation pressure, only a strong pruning and treatment with oil-based pesticides can often help.