The Pfaffenhütchen, also known as the common spindle bush, was voted poisonous plant of the year in 2006. It is poisonous in all its plant parts. Since it serves as a food plant for the Pfaffenhüttchen web moth, the toxic ingredients could be passed on to the insect. Are the fears actually justified?
Is the Pfaffenhütchen web moth poisonous?
Moths and caterpillarsof the Pfaffenhütchen web moth are bothnot poisonous, although the Pfaffenhütchen, which is poisonous in all parts, serves as food for them. The insects do not seriously damage the shrub, but they do make it unsightly at times. Settle predatory bugs and parasitic wasps as a preventive measure.
How do I recognize the Pfaffenhütchen web moth?
According to the name, the Pfaffenhütchen web moth mainly stays at the Pfaffenhütchen. The shrub is also known as robin's bread because its seeds are popular food for robins. The obvious characteristics of the pest are:
- small butterfly with max. 24 mm wingspan
- white-grey forewings with black dots
- gray-brownish hindwings
- Caterpillars are light brown with a yellow-brown head
- covered in fine cobwebs
Does the Pfaffenhütchen web moth secrete toxins?
The food plant of the Pfaffenhütchen web moth, the Pfaffenhütchen, is very poisonous. After consuming around 30 seeds, people can suffer fatal paralysis. But the all-clear can be given for the insect itself, it isnot poisonous at all This applies to caterpillars and butterflies.
How can I fight the Pfaffenhüttchen web moth?
You don't have to fight this web moth because it only causes temporary damage to the foliage. If the weeks of crown devastation bothers you, you must try toprevent an infestationThe easiest way to do this is to introduce their predators, for examplepredatory bugs and parasitic wasps If the web moth caterpillars have already hatched and embedded themselves in the webs, there are no quick and effective control measures available. Because all spray agents roll off the fine web.
Tip
No concerns with other (real) web moth species
Apple tree moths and plum tree moths also cause mischief in the garden. They are also not dangerous to humans. Attention: Caterpillars on oak trees look like web moths, but are poisonous oak processionary moths.
