Box tree moth pheromone (Cydalima perspectalis)
Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis).
Is a pest of box trees as well as other plant species in the buxaceae and some celastraceae species
Remove the bait from the sachet, place it in the center of the trap and place it at a height of 1.5-2 m. For monitoring, the density of baits should be at least 1 per hectare, but less than 2 per farm. The most suitable trap to use with pheromone bait is the deltoid trap. It is recommended to start using baits even before the development of the first generation of the pest, and continue until the end of the season.
Pheromone lures are a very sensitive tool. They can be affected by exposure to elevated heat and direct sunshine. Wear gloves to handle the lures as direct touching by hand may cause cross contamination leading to mixed catches in the trap. Some contaminants, such as nicotine, may have a repellent effect reducing trap catch.
Lures can be changed every 5-6 weeks to get the most accurate results
Manufacturer: Russell IPM
Pheromone bait for monitoring and trapping box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis), a dangerous invasive pest of boxwood that causes serious damage to the stands of this tree.
The box tree moth is a pest of box trees as well as other plant species in the buxaceae and some celastraceae species. Box trees are often found in homes and hotel grounds, historical gardens and churches. Box tree moth occurs in Asia, Europe and North America and has spread through trade of infested host plants. There are three or more generations per year depending on environmental conditions.
Adult: Adult wingspans can reach 40mm. These moths have two distinct patterns: either white forewings with a thick brown band along the outer edge and a white spot in the upper middle of the wing, or a fully brown forewing with the same white spot. Adults live for about two weeks and travel up to 10km annually.
Eggs: Eggs are laid in clusters of 5-20 in a gelatinous mass on the leaves of box tree.
Larvae: The caterpillars feed on the leaves, but may also attack the tree bark leading to the tree drying out and dying. They also form protective webbing which makes them difficult to control. Larva have 5 to 7 stages, depending on temperature. Hatched larva can spread up to 20cm along the tree before pupating. Larvae are green with black heads, and have black spots surrounded by white along their segments. All larvae also have black stripes along their sides, which become more noticeable in later instar stages. Larvae can reach 40mm in length when mature. Mature larvae enter a six to eight week winter diapause.
Pupae: Pupae are green with brown longitudinal lines when newly formed, gradually turning brown by the end of pupation.
Nature of Damage:
Caterpillars cause damage to the flesh of leaves and leave webbing in the foliage. In more serious cases, they may fully skeletise leaves causing dieback and defoliation and even tree death.
