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What's wrong with this box?

SmallYellowDotSmallYellowDot Posts: 12
in Problem solving
Hello, sorry if this has been asked many times, but just wanted to check if this looks like box caterpillar?    The images I've seen here on other posts, seem to show much worse damage, so not sure (hoping) if this is just something more inocuous.
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Posts

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Boxtree caterpillar!
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • SmallYellowDotSmallYellowDot Posts: 12
    Thanks Bede, not the answer I was hoping for, but good to know. 
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    The moth only reached norwich in the last few years and devestated most people's box hedges last year, killing most. The only ones that survived last year seem to have been killed this year and I can't think of a single box I've seen in the area that hasn't either succumbed, or show massive damage, from them.
    They are sweeping their way north, so I think box could be a thing of the past.  
  • SmallYellowDotSmallYellowDot Posts: 12
    Thanks for that input, Thevictorian was wondering if it was worth dealing with or just accepting it's inevitability.  
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    It all depends if you want to spend money on some emerging treatments that will need frequent reapplication or just move to something less prissy like yew or beech. Had a few and it's great not to have any box left as the constant monitoring wasn't worth it. But if you're diligent and go after the moths and caterpillars when they first arrive you can keep them looking OK. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @SmallYellowDot I found some tiny caterpillars on one in April. Best to start early and to keep in top of it to stand any chance.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • SmallYellowDotSmallYellowDot Posts: 12
    Thanks both for your input.  I've had another look and decided will probably keep picking them off when I see them and go from there.   Are the emerging treatments making use of nematodes?   I've read that they can get quite costly.   I'm not keen to use insecticides.    
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    @SmallYellowDot The main product available which is based on BT is Xentari but it's not officially allowed to be supplied in the UK for amateur gardening. But it will hopefully be soon. Until then people in the know use it knowing it's not legal to. 
    https://www.topbuxus.co.uk/topbuxus-xentari-boxtree-moth-caterpillar-treatment/
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Hand picking off of all caterpillars, and drowning the adult moths is very selective and doesn't damage other species like spraying does.  They have been in abundance is South Derbyshire this year, with a few appearing further north. Next year I expect them to reach South Yorkshire.  I just hope when they have eaten all the box,they don't jump  food plants.  While  it is stated that they only eat Buxus sp, in other countries they will also eat Euonymus.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    what about Sarcococca @fidgetbones?
     It's in the same family.
    I've removed 3 big Box plants, they weren't nice to look at or smell. I don't want to say goodbye to either Euonymus or Sarcococca


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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