Welcome, but not welcome


Sat hello to Cydalima perspectalis, otherwise known as the Boxworm Moth. It was first recorded in the UK some 10 years ago, but has only just started to spread out across the home counties and further afield. This Asian species was most probably imported with its foodplant, Box, but here lies the problem... it can be a pest on Box, which, when involving the cultivated specimens in people's gardens is merely an inconvenience... but let these moths loose on Box Hill and surrounds, then it could cause quite a problem for the truly wild, and local, Box.

So when I found one nestled in the bottom of the garden MV this morning it was a mixture of delight (never seen one before) and horror (I'm not that far, as the moth flies from wild Box.)

Comments

Skev said…
Goodbye Box Hill ......
1 July 2017 at 22:13
Arjun Dutta said…
Found one of these in Putney Heath the other day as well.
Interesting but as your title reflects not welcome!
2 July 2017 at 00:01
Steve Gale said…
Mark, many of the local lepidopterists don't seem bothered by that, but I bloody well do.
2 July 2017 at 13:58
Steve Gale said…
Arjun, West London seems to be well and truly colonised by this moth
2 July 2017 at 13:59
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