Scientists reveal – invasive box tree moth is on the rise in Sweden

By anders [dot] ortegren [at] biol [dot] lu [dot] se (Anders Örtegren) - published 27 September 2024

Two larvae of the box tree moth. Photo. — The larvae of the invasive box tree moth are wreaking havoc in private gardens and public spaces.

The box tree moth was first found in Sweden in 2016 – the invasive species is increasing very rapidly and could become a major problem in the near future.

Box tree moth has so far hit the continent very hard and it will most likely happen in Sweden. Boxwood (or box) is a plant found in many homes and public spaces. The box tree moth will devour much of it.

Damaged plants. Photo. — The box tree moth causes a big mess as the caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the boxwood tree.

"Soon we risk having the same situation as in the Netherlands and England - our neatly trimmed boxwood hedges will be a yummy place for box tree moth larvae", says biology researcher Lars Pettersson.

Box tree moths are found in many more places than previously known, but they can be detected by monitoring.

Moths mapped with the help of AI

A project is currently underway at Lund University to map moths using artificial intelligence. It is thanks to the data from this project that researchers have become aware of the spread of the box tree moth.

Two specimen of box tree moth. Photo. — The box tree moth moth will likely spread very quickly in Sweden.

"With our automatic moth trap, it is possible to monitor the density and distribution of box tree moths and other future invasive alien moths", says Lars Pettersson.