Honeysuckle Aphid: Hyadaphis tataricae
Homoptera (Heteroptera): Aphididae
Identification
• Aphids are pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects up to 1/8" long, with
two tailpipelike posterior projections. (a)
• Many aphids are green, but can be any color.
Damage
• Aphids suck juices from the leaves and young stems of spirea, winged
euonymous, crabapple, yellow poplar, and many other trees and shrubs.
• Large numbers can cause leaf and stem distortion. (b)
• Honeysuckle aphids cause leaves to fold lengthwise (c) and
some shrub honeysuckles to have twiggy witches-brooming at the top that
suffers winter dieback. (d) Severe numbers can kill the plant.
• Aphids excrete honeydew that makes leaves sticky and may support
sooty mold growth.
Management
• Natural enemies, such as lady beetles, lacewings, hover flies, and
parasitic wasps, usually provide control.
• Sprays of insecticidal soap, summer spray oil, and other insecticides
are effective.
• Honeysuckle aphid is controlled with systemic insecticides first
applied in June or by planting resistant honeysuckles.