Garden Help
Diagnose plant problems and treat garden pests


Get Gardening Help!

Home > Pests & Diseases >

Box tree caterpillar


Image of Box tree caterpillar

Description

Small (4cm) adult moths have white wings with a brown border, but wings may all brown or all clear. The caterpillars have a black head are greenish/yellow with thick black stripe and thin white stripes running along their body. They feed on the leaves of box plants.

Symptoms

The pale yellow flattish eggs are laid sheet-like, overlapping each other on the underside of box leaves, followed by white webbing amongst the leaves and shoots covering the 4cm long caterpillars feeding on the box leaves, and causing severe defoliation. Badly affected plants may show areas of dieback.

What next...

Now you know what the problem is, and the damage it is doing, don't let your plant suffer.

All Treatments for Box tree caterpillar

Organic Treatments for Box tree caterpillar


For specific problems try one of our specialists...

Latest Gardening & Horticultural Careers


Explore Gardens from Around the World


Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Bangalore, India

Nongnooch Tropical Garden
Pattaya, Thailand

Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden
Saint Petersburg, Russia

Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil



Watch a Video!

Growing Geraniums
Growing Geraniums
How should I overwinter a potted Canna lily?
How should I overwinter a potted Canna lily?
5 Essential Spring Bulb Tips in 1 minute
5 Essential Spring Bulb Tips in 1 minute
How to Take Care of Spring Flowering Bulbs
How to Take Care of Spring Flowering Bulbs
Removing a Tree
Removing a Tree
Will tulips grow in the shade?
Will tulips grow in the shade?