What's eating my faulkner box?

Faulkner box (Buxus microphylla 'Faulkner') is less susceptible to box blight than many cultivars, but it remains fully susceptible to box tree moth caterpillars and boxwood leafminer. These two insects are the main threats in both UK and US gardens. Routine pheromone-trap monitoring and prompt insecticide treatment are the key defences.

Caterpillars rapidly consume foliage, windowing then skeletonizing leaves, with webbing visible inside the plant. Plants can be completely defoliated and may die if repeatedly attacked. Set pheromone traps in spring to detect moth flight. Hand-pick caterpillars or spray with spinosad or pyrethrin-based products. Repeat applications every 2–3 weeks are needed while caterpillars are active.

Larvae mine inside leaves, creating blistered, pale yellowish or orange patches. Affected leaves drop early, weakening plants and reducing topiary density. Apply systemic imidacloprid as a soil drench in spring before adult flies emerge (May–June). Prune out heavily mined growth. Less susceptible than B. sempervirens but not immune.

Causes cupped, pale shoot tips in spring due to nymphal feeding. Mainly cosmetic but detracts from formal topiary appearance. Clip affected shoot tips off after adults depart. Early spring spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethroid if infestation levels are high enough to warrant treatment.