The box-tree moth is an invasive species of the grass moth family, native to East Asia. The first appearance of the moth in Europe was recorded in South-West Germany in 2007 and spread all over the European continent over the next few years, due to favorable conditions and plant transports. Damage is caused by caterpillars that feed especially on leaves of the boxwood, and because of favorable climate and possibility of spreading, it poses a serious threat to wild and ornamental compositions of boxwood. Most damage is caused to wild specimens of boxwood, as their extinction can wipe out entire ecosystems, including all species that live there. Monitoring of populations using detection methods such as pheromone traps contribute to a better understanding of species bionomy and timely and appropriate control measures. Due to poor efficiency and lack of natural enemies in Europe, control is based on manual removal of caterpillars and use of insecticides which are often environmentally controversial due to unwanted side effects. Recent researches are mainly based on optimal ecological methods of control with less negative impacts on the environment, the search for new natural enemies and detection methods that would help to better control the invasive pest.
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