Cypress Tip Moths are very small insects, but can cause severe damage to many evergreens including Cedars and Junipers.
Adult moths are present from late April through to July, being most abundant in late July. The female moths lay their eggs in the crevices between the leaf scales. After hatching, the larvae mine their way into the plant’s foliage, overwinter in twigs, and resume activity in the spring. The larvae feed on the new growth causing the foliage to turn brown and drop. Damage becomes noticeable in early summer and can be quite severe in some years.
An application of mineral oil is completely environmentally friendly, and is intended to reduce the number of female moths and the eggs they produce. By reducing these numbers, we are able to minimize the amount of damage the larvae cause on Cedar hedges and individual conifers.