Pest identification
What's eating my wintergreen boxwood?
Boxwood leafminer (Monarthropalpus flavus)
Signs: Leaf blistering, orange-yellow discoloration, and premature leaf drop caused by larvae feeding inside leaf tissue.
Control: Remove and destroy infested growth; apply systemic imidacloprid soil drench in spring; prune for better air circulation.
Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis)
Signs: Caterpillars strip foliage, leaving webbing and bare stems; plants can be killed if defoliation is repeated.
Control: Inspect interiors for webbing; apply Bt spray targeting small caterpillars; use delta traps to monitor moth flights.
Boxwood psyllid (Psylla buxi)
Signs: Cupped, distorted shoot tips caused by nymphs feeding in expanding buds in spring.
Control: Prune out cupped shoot tips at first sign; apply horticultural oil before bud break to smother overwintering eggs.
Keep wintergreen boxwood pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Wintergreen Boxwood pests — FAQ
What is eating my wintergreen boxwood?
Wintergreen Boxwood is susceptible to boxwood leafminer, box tree moth caterpillars (especially in UK gardens), and boxwood psyllid. It has better resistance to boxwood blight than English boxwood but is not immune. Boxwood leafminer is the leading pest across North America, causing chronic leaf blistering and early drop.
How do I get rid of boxwood leafminer (monarthropalpus flavus) on wintergreen boxwood?
Leaf blistering, orange-yellow discoloration, and premature leaf drop caused by larvae feeding inside leaf tissue. Remove and destroy infested growth; apply systemic imidacloprid soil drench in spring; prune for better air circulation.
How do I get rid of box tree moth (cydalima perspectalis) on wintergreen boxwood?
Caterpillars strip foliage, leaving webbing and bare stems; plants can be killed if defoliation is repeated. Inspect interiors for webbing; apply Bt spray targeting small caterpillars; use delta traps to monitor moth flights.
How do I get rid of boxwood psyllid (psylla buxi) on wintergreen boxwood?
Cupped, distorted shoot tips caused by nymphs feeding in expanding buds in spring. Prune out cupped shoot tips at first sign; apply horticultural oil before bud break to smother overwintering eggs.