Box Tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis

This invasive moth represents one of Europe's most dramatic entomological disasters. Native to East Asia, it invaded Europe in record time — spotted in Germany in 2006 and Britain by 2008, spreading to dozens of countries within a decade. The larvae devastate box trees, defoliating ornamental and wild plants alike. Once established, populations explode rapidly. It's a cautionary tale of how quickly pests can circle the globe in our connected world, and box tree hedges are now under threat across the continent.