BOX TREE MOTH TRAP

The box tree moth is nocturnal. The caterpillars of these moths feed exclusively on box tree leaves and young bark. They are voracious and consume several times their body weight of leaves every day. If left untreated an infested box tree will die in one to two years due to the massive damage inflicted by the caterpillars.

The caterpillars eat their way from the middle of the box tree foliage to the outside, so damage caused by their feeding is only noticeable much later on.

First visible signs on a box tree: dead and dried-up areas, which spread rapidly. Close inspection will reveal  caterpillars, white webs and caterpillar faeces within the foliage. The leaves will show damage from being eaten. Where there is a large infestation, the rotten cabbage odour of caterpillar faeces will be noticeable.

The caterpillars are well camouflaged by their colour and they hide in webs.

A fresh new pupa is green.
An adult caterpillar.
An older pupa is brown.

In the case of a huge infestation, large areas of foliage are eaten away and twigs and branches are festooned with webs. The overall appearance of the shrub now clearly confirms an infestation. 

As well as leaves, the green bark of young shoots is eaten and this eventually weakens the box tree.

The Swissinno Box Tree Moth Trap indicates the ideal time to implement control measures. Moths lay their eggs as soon as they begin to fly and the young caterpillars appear about 14 days later. This is the best time to start to fight them.

When ready to mate, the female box tree moth produces a scent (a sex pheromone) on her abdomen and releases it into the air. Male moths are attracted to the odour from far and wide. The Swissinno Box Tree Moth Trap uses this same pheromone to attract. males moths into the trap where they are caught on an adhesive strip and die. The pheromone attracts the European box tree moth species only, so other flying creatures, including  beneficial insects, like bees, are not affected. Curtailing the male moth population means there are fewer mating opportunities and fewer females laying fewer eggs thereby reducing the infestation.

One trap will cover up to 200 sqm (= an 8m radius circle). If the garden is divided into several areas, e.g. front garden and back garden, several traps should be used. 

The traps should be hung out from early May to late September. Central European locations can expect two, possibly three, generations. Exact timings depend on the weather and can vary from region to region.
The moths' flying season is short and lasts only one to two weeks each time, so there are usually only two generations of moths: in late May and late August.
In especially warm years or warmer regions, three generations may occur with moths hatching in May, July and September.

The traps should be checked at least twice a week.

 Replace the adhesive strip and the pheromone capsule after 3 months' use or when the adhesive surface becomes full.

The trap is perfectly safe for people. children and pets. It contains no poisons or insecticides. The sexual pheromone attractant that it uses is not toxic or harmful to the environment and the amount released into the atmosphere is infinitesimal.
 The trap attracts the European box tree moth species only, so other flying creatures, including  beneficial insects, like bees, are not affected.

The sturdy plastic trap can be used for many years.
A refill pack of 2x adhesive strips plus 2x pheromone capsules is available in stores. Refill items last for 2 years if stored in a cool place.

Of the four stages of the development of the box tree moth, only the caterpillar stage can be dealt with effectively. All the usual control methods are designed to be effective against the vulnerable caterpillars. There are no satisfactory methods of combating moths, eggs and pupae.
- When dealing with a small number of box trees, collect the caterpillars and webs by hand.
- Blast the caterpillars using a pressure washer or a garden hose with a power-jet and dispose of the bodies that are washed off.
- Suffocate the caterpillars with plastic bags.
- Treat with an approved pesticide.

Pruning and fertilising can encourage new shoots.

Important:
Box tree moth eggs and young caterpillars are dormant in winter. From mid-March, emerging caterpillars  appear in box trees and the first damage occurs. The Box Tree Moth Trap does not detect these caterpillars so the box trees should be checked for caterpillar infestation in March even before moths become apparent. and, if necessary, control measures should implemented.

Box tree moths glue their eggs to the underside of leaves within the foliage of box trees. After about 3 days, the caterpillars hatch and begin to feed. After 3-10 weeks, the caterpillars are fully grown. They pupate in the box tree or in cracks and crevices nearby. The moths hatch a week later. Mating takes place during their short lifespan of 1-2 weeks and the females lay their eggs. A cycle lasts 2-3 months. There can be 2-4 generations in a year.