Derek writes: The Box hedges and shapes in the Churchyard have been devastated by the Box Wood moth caterpillars.
To such an extent that they will have to be removed in the Autumn.
Collectively we will then have to decide whether we replant with something else or leave blank.
What happens is that the Moth lays its eggs on the Box plants and the hatched out caterpillars devour the foliage within a few days.
If you don’t catch the plaque quickly the plants will be reduced to dead brown twigs.
Yesterday I saw a caterpillar seemingly suspended in mid air ( at eye level ).
In fact it was climbing up a spider’s web to the Box tree above.
A determined creature changing gardening as we know it.
