Threatening garden shrubs: successfully combat boxwood moth

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Buchs have graced the gardens of many Swiss people for decades. But for more than a decade, trees that look beautiful, especially when lined up decoratively, have been causing more and more problems. Reason? Box wood moth. This pest was introduced from Asia after the popularity of the shrub led to it being produced cheaply in China. Thus, the socket was imported to Europe together with Zünsler.

It all started in the Basel region. Then Zünsler came to other regions. So far it has only been less of an issue in Ticino, which probably has something to do with the Alps being in between and thus creating a barrier for the moth.

the insatiable caterpillar

The box tree moth can be a real plague because it eats box trees bare. And it won’t end anytime soon, its spread is nearly unstoppable.

This is how it happens: A whitish moth lays eggs. Small caterpillars emerge from here and quickly eat the leaves, leaving behind the tree’s skeleton. When they eat enough, they pupae and become moths. The main problem is that the moths lay their eggs not only directly on the leaves that are visible, but also deeper into the box. It is almost impossible to detect an infestation in this situation. And after the caterpillars hatch, they quickly become even more bare.

What helps?

Gardeners recommend spraying the bush when spotting a caterpillar. The drug of choice is called dolphin, and it is a biological agent that is harmless to other living things. Only: Delfin only helps against the caterpillars themselves, not the driller’s eggs. And most importantly: everyone should come together! If someone in the neighborhood has infested boxwoods and is doing nothing about it, not all spraying will help.

Alternatively, azaleas

But what if you’re tired of constantly splashing and having trouble with the boxwood moth? Symptom control is currently underway. There is no solution yet that tackles the problem at its source, that is, directly in the trust itself. But alternatives to the book? But osmanthus, yew or azalea can look beautiful and similar.

Otherwise it means: Keep an eye on Buchs throughout the summer and have them treated if necessary. And check the tree again after winter, because the last population of a season spends the winter as larvae in the cocoon. Where? On the book, of course.

Source : Blick