Morley’s Final Catalogue: Not listed.

Recent Status: An invasive species that has become a pest. Originally from China and has been introduced by the horticultural trade with Box Trees. First European record was in 2006. First British record during 2008 and first Suffolk record during 2016. It is now a common immigrant as well as having significant breeding populations.

Life Style: A double brooded species that flies at night and comes to light. The larvae feed on Buxus but have been noted on a few other species. Larvae overwinter. The larvae spin a web and pupate in the feeding location. With the current expansion of Cydalima perspectalis and the impact it is having on Box where it breeds it is possible that predator prey interactions may reduce the numbers of the species. However that is probably some way off.

Identification: Cydalima perspectalis is instantly recognised by the dark brown and translucent white wings on a large moth with a purple sheen. The sheen is also present on the all dark form. The larvae are longitudinally striped black, yellow and green. There are a number of similar Diaphania species, of which only one has ever been reported in Britain, that have a similar dark and white pattern but they are distinctly different.

Recorded in 46 (79%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 2016. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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