Box moth

I think they wrap themselves in the leaves which kind of makes them hidden from birds.

 

Slapped wrist! Why didn't you spray them with BT as a preventative? It's much less hassle than trying to get rid of them once they've arrived!

 

Why in such vast numbers I wonder.. who are their predators? I'm going googling..

 

Thank you! It is mostly aquilegia and Welsh poppies in that bit, so I can't take the credit for the planting there. I'm still working that bit of border out, it changes every year. It gets some late afternoon sun and it looks really pretty.

 

It is entirely weather dependant, yes, and you need to be vigilant, but if there's a dry spell when the very first signs appear, they can be prevented from getting a hold. Not easy this year, given the constant wet weather, but it's the only really effective weapon against the little blighters.

 

I don't think they have any predators, hence the problem.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPBUXUS-T...0&psc=1&mcid=03ff4807a02f382a8612a61f90e1608a

 

One of our neighbours recommended that @pete . Apparently you do have to reapply it, it's not a "one off" treatment.
I think I'm right in saying that it's not officially approved for use in this country, but it does seem to be effective going by the various review sites.

 

We saw our first box moth last summer, not that we recognised it at first, I looked it up as it as so attractive

It was only later on that so noticed a bit of damage on our box knot, I’m assuming our crowds of tits and their fledglings ate the caterpillars as I didn’t notice any. Having read this thread, I will have a good look today to see if we have any. I do hope not as we have a knot garden, several box balls and a lovely mature box hedge

 

It says three treatments are required due to the moths having three life cycles a year, it's not approved for amateur use, as I understand, but they state it harmess to other insects.
Problem is I suppose people spraying other plants and wiping out the butterfly population.