If you are unfamiliar with the term, «bolting» is the name given to the phenomenon when plants rush prematurely to flower and set seed. Bolting is, in essence, the process of plants hurrying to enter the reproductive phase of their growth.
10.06.2023 - 05:54 / themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk
Box moth caterpillars – also known as box tree moth caterpillars- can strip the leaves from your box plant or hedge.
In extreme cases, your plant will die.
As many of us have box topiary or hedges, this can really affect your garden.
It’s a relatively recent pest and came from Asia via Europe, arriving in the UK in 2007. And it’s spreading fast around the world to the USA, Canada and other places.
This year, I discovered box moth caterpillars on all of my box topiary, including my beloved topiary spiral. This is the most expensive plant in my garden and is also a focal point.
How to spot box moth caterpillar damageThe damage starts in spring when the box tree caterpillars appear. They will usually have spent the winter wrapped in their silk webbing, sheltering in your box plant.
As your plants sprout new green growth, you will see darker green or brown-grey patches, where the caterpillar has damaged that new growth.
Go closer and you will see a net of white or silvery webbing with dying foliage, then a caterpillar inside.
What do box moth caterpillars look like?Box moth caterpillars have citrus-green and black stripes, running the length of their body. They have black heads and are usually protected by the fine webbing around them.
What eats box moth caterpillars?We’re all being encouraged to have wildlife friendly gardens, so that predators can eat up our pests. It makes for easier gardening and is better for the environment.
I recently interviewed Helen Bostock, Senior Wildlife Advisor for the RHS, on gardening for biodiversity. She explained that slugs and snails help our compost heaps work better.
If you have birds and ladybirds, they’ll eat most of your aphids. So, as long as you’re prepared to tolerate some nibbled leaves,
If you are unfamiliar with the term, «bolting» is the name given to the phenomenon when plants rush prematurely to flower and set seed. Bolting is, in essence, the process of plants hurrying to enter the reproductive phase of their growth.
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