05/05/2026
Clients have had many boxwood die last year, we saved some that we sprayed in time! Please check your shrubs and do a preventative spray soon!
Information below provided by Google
The invasive Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is currently causing severe damage to boxwood shrubs in Delaware, particularly in New Castle and Kent counties. Its larvae are green-and-black striped caterpillars that live inside white webbing, defoliating plants and feeding on bark, often killing the shrub.
Key Actions for Delaware Residents:
Inspect: Look inside the center of boxwoods for webbing, green-and-black caterpillars, and skeletonized leaves.
Treat: Apply insecticides containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or Spinosad, available at local garden centers, to control young caterpillars.
Dispose: Cut out infested branches and seal them in plastic bags before disposing in the trash; do not compost.
Treatment and Management Options
biological Control: Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Bt) is highly effective against the caterpillars.
Chemical Control: Insecticides like Sevin or products containing bifenthrin can be used.
Physical Removal: Handpick caterpillars and prune heavily infested areas, ensuring all webbed material is removed.
Monitoring: Set up pheromone traps to detect and trap male moths to reduce reproduction.
