How do the caterpillars typically begin consuming foliage on an established boxwood shrub?
Answer
Starting deep inside the plant canopy and working outward
Box tree moth caterpillars prefer to feed deep within the plant structure. This means that even when a hedge appears fine from the street, the interior foliage may already be skeletonized by the time leaf drop becomes noticeable.
Related Questions
What is the primary stage of the box tree moth responsible for destroying boxwood foliage?Where does the box tree moth (*Cydalima perspectalis*) originate geographically?What specific evidence indicates ongoing, heavy feeding activity by box tree moth larvae?Which genus represents the primary and preferred host plant for the box tree moth?How do the caterpillars typically begin consuming foliage on an established boxwood shrub?What potential outcome occurs if boxwood defoliation by the moth is severe or prolonged?In warmer climates, what characteristic of the moth's reproductive cycle compounds management challenges?What is the primary purpose of using pheromone traps when managing the box tree moth?Which naturally occurring soil bacterium is mentioned as an effective biological control against young, actively feeding larvae?How long does it typically take for local box tree moth damage to progress from sporadic observation to widespread, simultaneous community infestations?