Caterpillars in box hedge

Box hedge 9 yrs old. Last year looking a bit weary. This year seriously leaves dead. But shoots and stems still alive and green
on inspection caterpillars green and black striped curled up in all the leaves
Do I cut back to 10” high and spray caterpillars
Or dig them up
Plant new.
But will the caterpillars be in the soil or surrounding plants and come back

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1 Comment To "Caterpillars in box hedge"

#1 Comment By GKH_Susan On 04/13/2020 @ 1:22 pm

It may be the dreaded boxwood tree moth. A Bt type spray seems to be most effective. The moth lays eggs on the plant so it is not in the soil. Here are some other insects that plague boxwoods:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/controlling-boxwood-insects.htm ^[1]

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/prevent-caterpillars.htm ^[2]

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/using-bacillus-thuringiensis.htm ^[3]

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URL to article: https://questions.gardeningknowhow.com/caterpillars-in-box-hedge/

URLs in this post:

[1] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/controlling-boxwood-insects.htm: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/controlling-boxwood-insects.htm

[2] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/prevent-caterpillars.htm: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/prevent-caterpillars.htm

[3] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/using-bacillus-thuringiensis.htm: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/using-bacillus-thuringiensis.htm

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