All varieties of L. tataricae , and L. maackii and L. k. zabelii are attacked in Illinois. Resistant commercial species or cultivars may someday be identified and marketed. These aphids have a dark head and thorax and a powdery, white abdomen. The adult aphids develop in the enclosed space between the folded leaf halves, protected somewhat from weather and predators. When populations are high, aphids may also be found on the petioles and stems.
Lady beetles prey upon the aphids in both the adult and larval stages.
By late summer, most of the aphids may have been eaten by predators but the witches brooms remain. In autumn, adult aphids from other honeysuckles may fly in to re-infest the plants and deposit overwintering eggs. Pruning and burning infested tips in the winter may reduce the severity of subsequent attack, in addition to removing the unsightly witches brooms. Contact your local lawn and garden dealer or local Extension office for current chemical recommendations. During the summer, spraying every one to two weeks with an effective aphicide should reduce or eliminate injury.