Honeysuckle Bloom Bugs

Question: Hello,

Our Scarlet Dropmore Honeysuckle seems to have some sort of an infestation, and I'm not sure what to do. We did have blooms a while back, but I noticed small bugs on most of the bloom leaves. Now, all of the blooms have shriveled up, and there are black spots/dead bugs (I think?) on them. The leaves look healthy, but the flowers are all dead. Any recommendations on what to do? Can I treat it so it can come back next year? Thank you!

responder: Carolyn H. If you would like to learn more, please check out these resources.  Replied June 10, 2023, 11:02 AM EDT
response: Hi Vicki,  I wanted to confirm my identification before sending a reply.   This is an infestation by honeysuckle aphids. It is very common in lonicera sempervirens.   Here's more information about lonicera -sempervirens https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lonicera-sempervirens/  Scarlet Dropmore Honeysuckle is prone to aphid infestation. Read more here about how to treat for aphids.   https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/aphids#using-pesticides-344413  You can start with a water spray and follow up with an application of "horticultural soap" that is labeled for use on plants. (For example, a dishwashing product like Dawn maybe okay for ducks after a crude oil spill, and for dishes, but not for use on plants, bc these other products can damage the plant tissue/cuticle.)  Follow the label directions, you will probably need to repeat treatments. The fact sheet from Minnesota Extension has step-by-step instructions for treatment of aphids.  For preventing aphids next year,  - be sure to keep weeds out of the garden bed, and  - monitor the plant regularly and at the first sign of an infestation, begin treatments to, "nip it in the bud," [apologies, could not resist that garden pun.]  Whenever using chemicals in the yard or garden or home,  always follow label directions.

responder: Carolyn H. If you would like to learn more, please check out these resources.  Replied June 10, 2023, 11:06 AM EDT
response: Hi Vicki,  I wanted to confirm my identification before sending a reply.   This is an infestation by honeysuckle aphids. It is very common in lonicera sempervirens.   Here's more information about lonicera -sempervirens https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lonicera-sempervirens/  Scarlet Dropmore Honeysuckle is prone to aphid infestation. Read more here about how to treat for aphids.   https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/aphids#using-pesticides-344413  You can start with a water spray and follow up with an application of "horticultural soap" that is labeled for use on plants. (For example, a dishwashing product like Dawn maybe okay for ducks after a crude oil spill, and for dishes, but not for use on plants, bc these other products can damage the plant tissue/cuticle.)  Follow the label directions, you will probably need to repeat treatments. The fact sheet from Minnesota Extension has step-by-step instructions for treatment of aphids.  For preventing aphids next year,  - be sure to keep weeds out of the garden bed, and  - monitor the plant regularly and at the first sign of an infestation, begin treatments to, "nip it in the bud," [apologies, could not resist that garden pun.]  Whenever using chemicals in the yard or garden or home,  always follow label directions.

responder: Jennifer Andon  Replied June 26, 2023, 11:51 AM EDT
response: Good morning, I would suggest trying a horticultural oil, which is quite effective at controlling soft bodies insects such as aphids.    Thanks.

responder: Carolyn H. If you would like to learn more, please check out these resources.  Replied June 26, 2023, 12:55 PM EDT
response: Hi Jen,I don’t know what’s up with this question. Joe Boggs confirmed the honeysuckle  identification when I answered -and closed this question the first time. At least I think I did?- Carolyn On Jun 26, 2023, at 11:51 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Jennifer Andon  Replied June 26, 2023, 1:01 PM EDT
response: Carolyn, you did respond and close the question.  However, you had two tasks associated with this question, which was keeping it in the open position.     No biggie.   Jen   Jennifer Andon Program Manager  Master Gardener Volunteer Program  Agriculture and Natural Resources  Ohio State University Extension  College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences Cell: <personal data hidden> mastergardener.osu.edu                  From: Carolyn Hufford <<personal data hidden>>  Sent: Monday, June 26, 2023 12:53 PM To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>; Andon, Jennifer <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: New Internal Activity Alert    Hi Jen, I don’t know what’s up with this question. Joe Boggs confirmed the honeysuckle identification when I answered -and closed this question the first time. At least I think I did? - Carolyn On Jun 26, 2023, at 11: 51 AM, Ask Extension <ask@ extension. org>    Hi Jen, I don’t know what’s up with this question. Joe Boggs confirmed the honeysuckle  identification when I answered -and closed this question the first time. At least I think I did? - Carolyn     On Jun 26, 2023, at 11:51 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 26, 2023, 1:32 PM EDT
response: Thank you both for your assistance! It was very helpful and we ended up getting some horticultural soap to start with. Have a great week,Vicki On Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 1:01 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: