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RESOURCES
ALERT: Keep an eye out for a pretty but nasty new moth!
Box tree moth. Szabolcs Sáfián, University of West Hungary, Bugwood.org
Boxwood moth larvae rapidly defoliate shrubs. First found in Ontario, Canada by a citizen gardener who uploaded a photo to inaturalist.org. It is believed that the moth may show up in the lower 48 eventually. The moth larvae already have wrought extensive damage to boxwood in Europe, and apparently can defoliate quite rapidly. Curious gardeners matter! If you see something, always say something! ; ) A further writeup including an organic treatment option if you find this insect (ignore the term "boxwood tree" - it's boxwood!) |
BOXWOOD BLIGHT
2018 was the worst epidemic yet for boxwood blight in Connecticut.
Excellent guides for professionals on boxwood blight, both from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and from L. P. Statile, a wholesale nursery in NJ. Statile's piece delves into the importance of having an action plan in place. OF NOTE: When considering whether to add to your plantings of box, keep in mind that the disease is fatal and often is introduced to existing plants via newly added nursery stock. Diseased stock can remain asymptomatic until conditions favor its growth. 
Boxwood Blight Identification Guide (Click image to download PDF)
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WEIRD WORMS
Josef Gorres of the University of Vermont has posted some interesting info about the super wiggly, large, pointy invasive Amynthas agrestis species of earthworms. Cornell has more information here.
Not sure if it's Amynthas? To see what this worm looks like when writhing over the soil, go here. 
Crazy Snake Worm (Amynthas agrestis) in the wood mulch of a horticultural bed at a tree nursery in Vermont. Checkout the white ring around the worms body. In Amynthas species it stretches all around the body and it is well off-set from the rest of the body.
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