New pest of Buxus

[ruweiss]

A new pest is threatening the Buxus plants in Central Europe and causes big damage
in gardens and parks. The caterpillars of the Buchsbaumzünsler (in German) kills hedges,
bushes and topiaries in a very short time.
When we came home from Tabor we noted the damage in front of the house and we had to remove all our plants.
The first appearance of this serious pest was recorded in 2006 and they believe, that a ship
load of Nursery plants from China was the reason of this terrible introduction.
The butterfly Cydalima perspectalis is native to the Far East and the  control is not easy.
Beside the rather ineffective picking by hand and chemical pesticides Nematodes and Bacillus
thuringiensis are recommended.

[Maggi Young]

A matter important enough for its own thread, I think, Rudi.

You must be disappointed to have to remove such fine plants but the damage is clear to see, so you had , of course, no choice.
Something for us all to be on the lookout to see.

[Maggi Young]

This pest has already been found in the UK, in England, if not more widely 

http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/publications/documents/factsheets/boxTreeCaterpillar2011.pdf

[ruweiss]

Maggi,
thank you for your interesting reply, we can only hope, that
some day a natural enemy of these insects will help to reduce
them.
It is hard to believe, that most of these treasured old plants
could vanish from cultivation.

[angie]

Rudi thats so sad to see. I have quite a lot of box and the last two years I have had a lot of damage. I don't know what has caused it but before the damage is done I get all this white powder thats comes away when you shake the bushes. I would hate to lose my plants.

Thank you again for giving me those three lovely plants at the conference. I will try my best and keep them alive.

Angie 

[Maggi Young]

There are a number of things that might be causing your Box problems, Angela - this dedicated website gives a depressingly long list....
http://www.buxuscare.com/en/pests-and-diseases

[angie]

Thanks Maggi. Thats a good link. I defiantly have had the white stuff that they call psyllid larva, never noticed the fly before but obviously it has been there. I think I will give the box a spray tonight. It could be another of the mentioned but I will start with a insect spray.

Give me a shout when Ian is away, can't have you been lonely. Any excuse for a coffee and big piece of chocolate cake  .

Angie 

[ruweiss]

Angie, thanks for your mail. Hope,that you were succesful with spraying your box plants.
If not it would be wise to show a twig to an expert who can recommend some spray.
Be careful with it, because most of them are highly toxic to fish and other water creatures.

[angie]

Took a picture of the what I think is psyllid larva. I just used a garden centre bug killer but I think it would be worth getting the right spray. Its hard to get a day that the wind isn't blowing towards my pond.

Sorry not a good picture but it was starting to get dark.
Angie