There are two or three generations per year with adults on the wing from April/May to September. [ citation needed]. In the warmest parts of the European importation area, with cold conditions coming late in the year, there might be sometimes four generations per year. The species overwinters as a juvenile cocooned larva (about 5–10mm long), protected in an hibernarium made of two leaving Buxus leaves solidly joined by silk. [ citation needed] Host plant [ edit ] Larval feeding damage - only the contour of the leaves and frass is left. While these traps can be effective, you need to replace them regularly, and they won’t catch every single male. So, while they will interrupt breeding, these traps aren’t guaranteed to eradicate the problem completely. Microbial insecticides As part of our research, the RHS would like to know where box tree moth has been seen. Please submit your records via our box tree moth survey (expected time to complete survey = two minutes). Buchsbaumzünsler (Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859))" (in German). insekten-sachsen.de . Retrieved 28 December 2013. The light source attracts moths, and as they fly into the light they fall down the funnel into the trap.

The older caterpillars protect themselves from predators by building a distinctive pale white tent of webbing when they feed. I have both, and although the Actinic trap catches different species than the MV trap, the MV trap catches at least ten times as many. I'd stay with MV if I were you. Actinic lighting peaks in the 420 nanometer range and emits a fluorescent blue light - it's the light that comes out of those big old overhead fluorescent tubes in offices. The flipside is though that the light isn't nearly as bright so might be more appropriate if you live in a suburban settings where bright lights would annoy the neighbours. Ideal Conditions If you’ve decided that you don’t want to grow box anymore but are still looking for a shrub with neat, evergreen foliage that responds well to pruning, try these plants instead: Yew (Taxus baccata)Forceful spraying is needed to penetrate into the interior of box plants through the webbed-together leaves Another action to take is to use a pheromone trap. Have these up around your boxwood to attract any male moths away from your plants. Installing traps won’t be the only step you need to take, but they’ll give you a heads-up to get your gloves on or an insecticide at the ready. Box tree caterpillars will completely decimate box ( Buxus), stripping the leaves. What damage can they cause? The caterpillars have a range of natural enemies, including parasitoid flies, parasitoid wasps, social wasps, spiders and ants

Large funnel, the largest you can find. Larger is better and the beer-brewing industry seems to have a monopoly on large funnels. You'll want to cut the spout away anyway so that part of it matters little, but some sort of lip at the top is useful so that the funnel sits nicely on the polycarbonate and doesn't let moths escape. Colour doesn't matter, but I wouldn't use metal as it conducts heat too easily.The main problem with box caterpillars in the UK is that they have no natural predators here. So, the only option is to use biological or chemical solutions to control and eradicate a population invading your garden. How to get rid of box caterpillars naturally

Pheromone traps, can indicate whether there are moths in the areaand their level of activity. These areavailable from several suppliers including Agralan, Dragonfli and Solabiol Hold any commercially sourced plants in isolation for at least fourweeks to confirm they are free of infection before planting out. Commercial nurseries may use fungicides which suppress but do not kill the fungus, and this isolation technique will allow time for suppressed disease to become visible. Taking cuttings from healthy box in your garden will reduce the risk of introducing the disease. The postage cost for the return will need to be covered by yourself (please keep the proof of postage until your return has been processed).Box caterpillars are most active between March and October, during which time they can destroy a box plant within a week. Box Tree Moth flying season is between April to October when there can be up to three generations of the pest. Each lure lasts up to six weeks when used with one of our unique traps. These replacement lures can be used as needed to cover a whole season and reduce damage to your box tree hedges. Moth trap catches vary according to the months. During Spring and Summer I can catch 100s of moths in a trap, but during the winter months you will catch a handful at best. Unfortunately, boxwood hedges are susceptible to many pests, but the box tree moth is the most common in the UK. Extensive populationscan be treated with an insecticide. Thorough spray coverage is required if control is to be achieved