Boxwood leaf sucker
The boxwood leaf sucker, also called Boxwood leaf flea called, sucks preferably on the young leaves, but also on fresh shoots, which causes various deformations. Similar to the woolly lice and mealybugs, which also suckle leaf sap, the pests secrete protective wax threads. If the infestation is severe, the leaves and shoots are also covered by a sticky layer of honey, which in turn can be covered with the blackish sooty fungus. The adult leaf fleas lay their eggs on the boxwood in summer, from which the larvae then hatch. These finally overwinter in the larval stage directly on the plant.
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Damage image
The leaves on the young shoots are spoon-like or blistered deformed. If you take a closer look at the affected shoots, you can see white flakes of wax wool. In these are the yellow-brown, aphids not dissimilar leaf suckers. If the infestation is severe, the leaves are also covered in sticky, sweet honeydew.
Combat
If the infestation is severe, cut back the shoot tips of the boxwood in summer. Preparations based on neem or rapeseed oil, which you can use to spray the infested plants dripping wet, are also suitable for the hobby and home garden.
Mealybugs and mealybugs
White, cotton wool-like webs on leaves and shoots and sometimes on the roots can also be infected Mealybugs and mealybugs originate. The approximately three to seven millimeters long animals also feast on the nutrient-rich leaf sap and can cause severe damage.
Damage image
The structures, reminiscent of cotton wool, are cocoons that the pests use to protect themselves from predators. An infestation shows you first by yellowing and drying leaves, which are often thrown off after a while. Shoots and leaves wither, moreover that is growth inhibited by the plant due to the lack of nutrients. The white pods with the animals are mainly located on the underside of the leaves and in the branches of the shoots and the leaf axils.
Combat
A powerful one also helps with these plant lice Cumshot with neem or rapeseed oil preparations, whereby you should shade box trees treated in this way. The combination of a sunny location and an oil treatment can otherwise quickly lead to unsightly leaf burns. If, on the other hand, the infestation is already well advanced, often only this helps Secateurs. Cut away the affected shoots and leaves generously.
Tips
If, on the other hand, the white flakes can be seen in the course of spring sprouting and no further damage to the box tree can be seen, then it is by no means a pest infestation. Instead, the light, protective wax layer is now peeling off the new shoot and leaf buds.
