Collection: Control the box tree moth
What is the box tree moth?
The box tree moth is a type of moth in the grass moth family. It is primarily active between April and October and is a common cause of bare, dead, or damaged box trees.
What damage do box tree moths cause?
The caterpillars of box tree moths cause damage to box wood bushes, eating them bare in just a few days. The caterpillars take large bites out of the edges of the leaves, quickly leaving nothing more than a skeleton of a leaf. You will also find the grey/green excrement from the caterpillars on the plant itself, as well as the remains of moulted caterpillars and pupae. Early damage is visible at the bottom of the box tree.
The lifecycle of the box tree moth
In spring, when the temperatures rise above 10°C again, small box tree caterpillars that have overwintered will begin to appear and start to feast immediately. Early damage is limited, but as the caterpillars grow, they eat more. By May, the caterpillars are fully grown and begin to pupate. An adult moth will emerge from the pupa after around two weeks.A female moth lives for one to two weeks, during which time she can lay 500 eggs. At the end of June and in July, a new generation of caterpillars will hatch from those eggs, thus beginning the cycle again. But, without proper intervention, there will be many more caterpillars in the box wood plants than in the spring. You will also be able to see different sizes of caterpillar and moth at the same time, which means that the box tree bushes will be eaten constantly. In October, the young caterpillars will spin a shell in which to overwinter.
Managing the box tree moth with nematodes
Nematodes are only effective on the box tree caterpillars, not the eggs, pupae, or moths. The best time to tackle the box tree caterpillar is in early spring, before the next generation can develop. The nematodes, dissolved in water, should be sprayed onto the box tree caterpillars immediately. Make sure that they are well covered. Since nematodes cannot tolerate sunlight, the best time to spray is in the evenings.
What sort of nematode should I opt for?
If the minimum temperature is below 12°C, we recommend Steinernema feltiae. Otherwise, Steinernema carpocapsae is most effective. Click here for the instructions for use. Leaf application is required for box tree caterpillars.
Managing the box tree moth with a trap
Box tree moths can also be managed with a box wood trap. Placing pheromones in the trap helps to attract male box tree moths to the trap, and once they’re inside, they can no longer escape. Although a trap is a good way to capture a large number of moths, it is unlikely to be 100% effective at overcoming an infestation.