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Identifying box tree caterpillar on Boxwood
Green-yellow caterpillar with black stripes and a black head, spinning visible webbing across box (Buxus) foliage.
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Life cycle
Multiple generations per year in warm climates; overwinters as small larvae in webbed cocoons within the plant.
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Damage to Boxwood
Voracious feeding strips leaves and chews bark, leaving skeletonised, brown foliage and webbing; can kill plants if repeated.
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How to treat box tree caterpillar on Boxwood
Check plants regularly and remove caterpillars and webbing by hand. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis or pheromone traps for monitoring and control.
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Preventing box tree caterpillar on Boxwood
Inspect new box plants before purchase. Use pheromone traps early season to catch first moth flights.