Bush-eating moth is back

After causing devastation to parks and gardens last year, the boxtree moth is back.

France 3 in the Alps reports that the larvae resisted a long, cold winter and the gardener’s nightmare is back.

The little green and black caterpillars that arrived in Europe from China about ten years ago are not dangerous to animals or humans but are devastating for bushes.

It is essential to start treating shrubs in early spring to prevent the larvae from developing and allowing the insect to spread.

A particularly effective organic product is bacillus thuringirensis, which paralyses the caterpillar.

There are also more conventional insecticides but these may kill other non-harmful insects as well. Some gardeners prefer bespoke traps using pheromones and glue.