This helps reduce early season populations. Pruned plants, however, become susceptible to damage from winged aphids moving to the plants. Pruning after egg hatch may result in a flush of additional new leaf growth, which may in turn increase the aphid injury. Cultural practices that favor the production of new growth can aggravate the problem. Highest aphid populations are produced on plants that are pruned, irrigated and overfertilized during the year.
Some honeysuckle varieties appear to resist damage.
Observations of common Colorado varieties may help identify others that are little injured by this insect. Biological and Chemical Control Biological enemies include lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid flies and parasitic wasps. Although these natural controls will eventually eliminate many of the aphids, cosmetic damage to the plants often occurs before biological controls become effective. For established honeysuckle that is susceptible to honeysuckle witches' broom aphid, insecticide applications often are necessary to limit injury. The frequency of spray applications depends on infestation severity and the acceptable amount of aesthetic injury to the plant.