Spotting Box Tree Moths: Signs & Pictures

Before it's too late, you should better recognize the box tree moth by its clear signs and then fight it in a targeted manner. We deliver the necessary information.

That the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) a dangerous pest box trees (boxy) is, you've probably heard it by now. But recognizing the pest and distinguishing it from others Diseases of the box tree certainly not easy for everyone. We provide the information you need to protect your beloved boxwoods in a timely manner.

In order to recognize an infestation with the box tree moth early, it is essential to know how to control it properly. In this article you will learn when to check and how to recognize the infestation. Below are some tips to combat it.

Box tree moth: when to check?

You can't find it at any time of the year Box tree moth eggs, caterpillars and moths. The overwintered caterpillars are followed in spring by pupae and moths, then eggs and a new generation with the successive developmental stages. And these stages, unfortunately, occur at slightly different times each year depending on temperature and weather. The table below summarizes the appearance of eggs, caterpillars, pupae and cocoons. However, the normal case is shown here: Particularly warm years lead to a faster development of the moth, sometimes even a complete further generation can occur.

month	April	May	June	July	August	September
state of development	caterpillars (overwinters)	cocoons	butterflies, eggs	eggs, caterpillars	cocoons, butterflies	moths, eggs, caterpillars
recommendation	use traps	use traps	use traps
generation	generation previous year	generation previous year	generation 1	generation 1	generation 2	generation 2

Because the actual occurrence of the pest in reality can differ from this representation, you must carry out your own checks.

Control box trees

From April, the interior of boxwood is over-wintered borer caterpillars controlled. To be on the safe side, you should carry out these checks of the interior and exterior of the shrubs at least once a month until September. Around June, the overwintered generation has closed moth moths developed so that moths can also reach you from neighboring gardens or from much further away. Now you should start using their presence pheromone traps to prove. This is for example the Plantura borer trap excellently suited. Recognizing the moth flight gives you information about when eggs and young caterpillars will be found on your box trees. This is the case about two weeks after the flight of the moth.

Recognize box tree moth infestation

The box tree moth behaves quite secretively in almost all phases of life. Groups of up to 20 eggs are laid in the outer areas of the shrub as "egg mirrors" on the undersides of the leaves. They can only be spotted with good eyes in the period directly after the flight of the moth. As soon as the small, green-yellow larvae have hatched, they make their way inside the box tree, where they lodging between caterpillar webs and leaves and scraping leaves with their mouthparts devour. In this phase, white webs are hidden inside the bush. When opened, they contain young larvae and crumbs of feces.

Older larvae move to the outside of the boxwood. In this phase, the infestation is easily recognizable: the caterpillars now eat entire leaves and the bark is also consumed - as a result, entire parts of the box tree die and turn yellow. The fact that this damage was caused by the bush tree moth can be seen from the maximum 5 cm long, green-yellow caterpillars with black and white stripes and the characteristic black head capsule detect. The white webs also appear more obviously now. For metamorphosis, the caterpillars pupate into similarly colored, 2 cm long pupae, which are also spun into leaves. It is difficult to observe the flight of the moths without the use of pheromone traps, since the small butterflies are nocturnal. Is there a fragrant butterfly bush in the area (Buddleja davidii or Buddleja alternifolia), can sometimes also be found there during the day Box Tree Moth a. If you have discovered moths in your garden, you should keep a close eye out for eggs and larvae in the coming days to prevent a heavy infestation by fighting the moth.

Summary Recognize box tree moth infestation:

• Eggs can be found shortly after the moth has taken flight in the outer areas on the underside of leaves
• Young, yellowish larvae can be found inside the boxwood, hidden in white webs
• Older, darker colored larvae stay outside, shoots can die off and turn yellow, whole leaves are eaten, webs can be seen openly
• Pupae are in a web of caterpillar silk and leaves
• Butterflies let through Box Tree Moth Traps like the Plantura borer trap discover or at butterfly bushes (Buddleja) watch

Box tree moth: What to do in the event of an infestation?

After discovering the infestation with box tree moths, you should not hesitate, but fight the infestation:

• Prune your boxwood about two weeks after you see the moths in flight. This removes eggs and newly hatched larvae.
• Cut the webs with young caterpillars from inside the boxwood.
• When the caterpillars reach the outside area, you can use biological sprays like ours Plantura Zünslerfrei XenTari^® use. In the preceding stages, the caterpillars are too well protected for this by their webs. If the infestation is low, you can collect the caterpillars by hand or wash them away with a hard jet of water. Here you will find information on the topic "Are box tree moths poisonous?” and you can read what you should consider when dealing with the box tree moth.
• Young larvae and eggs can be discarded alive, but older caterpillars or pupae should be discarded before they are killed. Read everything else about the right one Disposal of the box tree moth in this special article.

Detailed information about Combating the box tree moth can be found in our special article.