Why does my buxus have brown leaves?          Text and photo: Eurohosta, July 2017

         
   

 

It is damaged by Cydalima perspectalis. It is a moth belonging to the family Crambidae. It is a smaller to medium sized moth with a wingspan about 4 cm. When the moth rests with the winged folds, it has a clear brown border all around the circumference. The adult caterpillar is approximately 3.5 cm long, glossy, green with a colorful pattern and a black head.


In our conditions Cydalima perspectalis attacks buxus - individually growing shrubs, groups of hedges, hedges of different sizes. Buxus leaves can be variously damaged. Leaves are damaged from edges. Older caterpillars eat whole leaves, and younger twig too. The presence of the pests reveals the fibers between the cannons, also the scat that is caught on them, and at the time of the occurrence caterpillar the caterpillar itself.

 

Cydalima perspectalis is overwintering in a caterpillar stage. At the end of the vegetation period young caterpillars form cobwebs most often among the leaves, also in gaps, slots on the host plant or near host plant. They overwinter in cobwebs. The caterpillars continue to damage the leaves in the spring and they pupate between the leaves. A few days later moth appear.  They are active during night, resting during the day. They are attracted by light, so they can be found near street lighting. Females oviposit in groups from 5 to 30 pcs on the leaves of buxus. After 7 to 10 days, the caterpillars hatch out. Cydalima perspectalis has 2 or in in warm years even 3 generations per a year.

 

Cydalima perspectalis comes from East Asia. It was found in Japan, Korea, China, Eastern Russia and India. In Europe, was found in 2006 in southwest Germany in Kehl. The species has spread rapidly in Europe. At present, it can be found from Great Britain and France (in the west) to the Balkan Peninsula (in the east).

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