Table of contents
- detect infestation
- Toxicity & Symptoms
- obligation to report
The box tree moth bears the botanical name Cydalima perspectalis and is a feared pest in the local latitudes. The box trees in particular suffer from the voracious caterpillars, because this animal species can eat the trees completely bare and thereby destroy them. With regard to the obligation to report and the toxicity, certain measures must be observed so that the infestation by this parasite does not get out of hand.
detect infestation
The pest first appears as a moth on the boxwood, which is easy to see with the naked eye. An adult butterfly can travel up to three kilometers between its last location and the current occurrence. Because of this, this pest can quickly spread over a large area. In addition, the moth can train two to three generations per year, so that its offspring quickly add up. The caterpillars are particularly dangerous, as they are extremely voracious and can occur in large numbers at once. Since the pests are usually hidden inside the trees and eat there, they are not so easy to track down. Therefore, an infestation with the box tree moth is often noticed very late.
- The moth is white-black in colour, with the majority of white
- On the wings are brown edges, inside a black pattern
- Wing span of up to 4.5 cm
- Is active from spring to late summer
- Lays up to 150 eggs on the underside of the leaves
- Caterpillars are green with black dots
- Body size is up to 5 cm
- Foliage serves as a food source for the young caterpillars
- Infestation usually begins on the lower branches
- Shown by gnawed leaves
- The bark of the branches and younger twigs are then eaten away
- Overwinters clamped in a cocoon
Tip:
If you have box trees in your garden, you should check them regularly for infestation. Then the eggs and the still young caterpillars can be fought in advance before they can cause major damage.
Toxicity & Symptoms
Small children in particular should be kept away from the caterpillars, as they will touch everything out of curiosity and also put it in their mouths. In addition to the parasites, there is always the poisonous boxwood in the same place, which both represent in combination pose a serious health risk if contact occurs is. Since the poison is absorbed through the skin, protective measures must be taken when combating and removing it. Some bird species appear to have developed a tolerance to the venom over time, so they can feed on the caterpillars without any problems and even use them as food for the offspring offer.
- Is generally toxic
- However, the pest does not produce the poison itself
- The toxin of the box tree is absorbed through food intake
- The poison is then stored to deter predators
- People are also affected by the poison, especially small children and the elderly
- Also avoid contact with animals
- Especially keep horses, dogs, cats and rabbits away
- Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, paralysis, nausea and tremors
- In extreme cases, it can lead to a drop in blood pressure and even circulatory collapse
- Always wear gloves when collecting the caterpillars
obligation to report
In Germany there is a statutory obligation to report certain tree pests. This is to prevent epidemics and plagues from spreading. Some pests pose an enormous threat to the environment and require special control measures. As a rule, however, allotment gardeners are exempt from this obligation. If a major spread has occurred, it may still be advisable to report a possible occurrence. In this way, the responsible authorities can reduce the risk of a plague in a timely manner. Pests must also be reported if they pose a major risk to human or animal health. If it is a larger boxwood stand, an infestation by the pest should not be treated lightly.
- Reportable pest infestation is regulated according to Sections 16 and 17 of the Infection Protection Act
- Infestation with box tree moths is not subject to the statutory reporting obligation
- Poisoning does not manifest itself in a life-threatening manner
- In the event of exorbitant spread, it is better to report the infestation to the authorities
- The local health authorities of the cities and districts are responsible
- Rapid intervention is required
- Especially with larger stocks of box trees
- Pests can completely destroy trees
Tip:
If you are unsure about the pest, you should ask a tree expert for advice. He can identify the box tree moth in no time and at the same time suggest suitable control measures.
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