Tags
birding, birdwatching, Box tree moth caterpillars, Box tree moth larvae, Box tree moth pupa, British birds, jackdaw, Jackdaw eating Box tree moth larva
In this post I am pleased to bring some good news to those of you who grow Box trees, bushes and hedges (Buxus species) in your gardens.
Though many Box plants are being ravaged by the voracious larvae of the Box tree moth (Box tree moth cats, 2 May), it seems the local Jackdaws have developed a taste for the larvae – and pupae, I think, judging by what the Jackdaw in my photo below is eating. A local moth expert explained recently on Twitter/X that ‘the larvae are known to contain alkaloid toxins, so birds generally seem to avoid them.’ Presumably some birds are able to tolerate the toxins, which is good news for all you Box growers.
