Ynghylch

The box tree moth is native to Asia and possibly arrived in the UK on imported box plants. The first known sighting was an adult moth in Kent in 2007, with caterpillars first found in 2008 in a plant nursery in Surrey. The species quickly spread throughout southeast England and continued to expand its distribution. In 2018, it was recorded in Scotland for the first time. It has also become established in continental Europe and some moths may naturally disperse from these populations to reach Britain.

Box tree moths are known to feed on several different species of box. Females lay their eggs on the underside of box leaves. The caterpillars hatch and feed on the leaves, before pupating inside a cocoon of silk webbing. The adults are attracted to lights and may turn up in moth traps in large numbers.