Nature Notebook

Boxing Moths

Our environment is changing – from introduced and naturally-arrived species to a climate that allows them to thrive, take a look at one of Worcestershire’s newest residents...

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Worcestershire Wildlife Trust @WorcsWT t worcestershirewildlifetrust G worcswildlifetrust.co.uk w A species that’s native to Asia, box-tree moths arrived accidentally in the UK just over a decade ago and were first spotted in Kent. Our warming climate has allowed many species to expand their ranges northwards and box-tree moths are no exception. The first record of it arriving in Worcestershire was in a Malvern garden in 2017 - our wildlife sightings campaign is trying to track how it’s spread across our county.

The adults are rather striking with brown-edged ivory wings. The larvae are mainly green with black heads and black and white stripes along their bodies. These larvae are voracious munchers of box leaves, creating webbing over areas where they feed, which will start to show patches of dieback (not to be confused with the disease box blight).

As well as being accidentally imported, it’s thought that the population is being augmented by individuals making their way here across the Channel from populations that have been imported to Europe. Either way, the moth is here to stay. The good news is that there is some evidence of birds taking a liking to the caterpillars so if you’re worried about your box plants, try to encourage more birds into your garden. Avoid using chemicals to deal with the species as you’ll also destroy lots of other insects and won’t manage to irradicate box-tree moths, which may arrive again next year. If you were considering planting box or replacing old box, why not consider something different in its place. Depending on how you were thinking of using box, Teucrium x lucydris is a possible replacement and offers a long-flowering display of beautiful flowers for our hungry pollinators to feast on. You could also consider forms of berberis or even yew. When you’re considering what to buy, also have a think about where you buy it from. Box-tree moths most likely arrived in the UK through our horticultural trade so try to avoid buying plants that are grown abroad. Also try to buy plants grown in peat-free compost to ensure the security of important peat bog habitats in the UK and Europe – we have a number of good peat-free and organic nurseries in Worcestershire and on our borders.

Fewer than 20 sightings of these moths have been recorded across Worcestershire so far but we suspect that’s because not everyone has reported seeing them. Can you help us to fill in the missing gaps? If you see the adult or the larvae, please take a photograph (a mobile phone snapshot will do) and report it via the short form on our website www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-sightings - you’ll help to contribute important information about the spread of this recent arrival. If you’d like more information on gardening with wildlife in mind, visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-gardening n