As of: March 26, 2024, 10:00 a.m
By: Joana Lück
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If you recognize the eggs of the box tree borer in time, you can often protect the plant from major damage.
That's how it works.
Boxwood trees that have been eaten bare are annoying, but not a rare sight in Germany.
The box tree borer, which is the most feared pest on trees, has been spreading inexorably for around two decades.
However, if you recognize the insect early, you can save your hedges and solitary plants from something worse.
From egg to caterpillar in just a few days
Boxwood moths hatch after just a few days.
© UtorovaEka/Imago
It is difficult to see when the boxwood borer is laying its eggs.
So you actually have to examine the leaves of the boxwood regularly, because the pest goes through four to six generations a year, as
Plantura
emphasizes.
The egg stage only lasts a few days before the insect turns into a larva, causing the most damage.
The eggs are only a few millimeters in size and look like light, transparent lenses.
When the larvae are about to hatch, a black head can be seen in each egg.
As a butterfly, the animal then lays eggs again and the cycle repeats itself.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter from our partner 24garten.de.
Here's what you can do if you suspect an infestation:
The spread can be contained by pruning shortly after egg laying.
Since the eggs are always laid on the outer leaves, they can contain pests so well.
You can also attack the boxwood borer with beneficial insects.
Trichogramma parasitic wasps locate the eggs and then parasitize them.
Sparrows also love the caterpillars.
So by creating an oasis of well-being for the birds, you curb the plague.
Protective nets can also prevent eggs from being laid on the box trees.
They are spread over the plants from April to September.
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Boxwood borer traps can be useful in particularly affected regions such as southern Germany.
They work on the pheromone principle and attract males.