Honeysuckle Aphid

---

Pest Identification & Damage

Common Name(s):
Honeysuckle Aphid

Scientific Name:
Hyadaphis tataricae (Aizenberg), Homoptera: Family Aphididae.

Identifying Characteristics for Damaging Stage(s):

Mature wingless aphids are small, green and feed in rolled up leaves of honeysuckle, primarily on the new growth.

Damage/Nature and Symptoms:

Honeysuckle Aphid Witches-Broom

The honeysuckle aphid is a sap-sucking insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts which injects a toxic saliva as it feeds, causing leaves to fold over lengthwise along the midline and become stunted. This produces a protective shelter in which female aphids feed and give birth to young, sheltered from predators and parasitoids. Feeding stunts terminals and results in proliferation of side shoots which further results in the development of broom-like structures at the tips of branches, which are referred to as "witches-brooms".

Distribution and Life Cycle

Distribution:

The honeysuckle aphid is a Russian species, first found in the U.S. in Illinois in 1979 and later in Nebraska in 1981. It is now common in the eastern half of the state. This aphid attacks primarily honeysuckle, including the tatarian honeysuckle and the vining/climbing types.

Summary of Life Cycle:

This insect winters as eggs on dead leaves in the witches brooms. In April the eggs hatch and young aphids (called stem mothers) move to the new growth and begin to feed. As growth proceeds, aphids continue to "give birth" to living young and these are protected by folded leaves. Development from the first stage nymphs to the adult stage takes about 30 days and adults live for approximately 20 more days. Reproduction is continuous throughout the summer, but the two main population peaks occur in June and September. Aphids produced in late summer include both males and females and these mate, then females deposit the eggs which over winter.

Management Methods:

Inspection/Survey Methods:

Periodically examine plant terminals for colonizing, winged aphids.

Non-Chemical Management Strategies:

Unroll a sample of terminal leaves occasionally to see if aphids are present. Populations may be greatly reduced in mid-summer by natural enemies such as lady beetles, parasitoid wasps, lacewings and syrphid fly larvae. Clipping and destroying witches brooms will help to prevent infestation. Allowing and encouraging certain species of aphids to develop on other garden flowers such as daisies/sunflowers and vegetables such as corn can help to build populations of beneficial insects and hold them on the property.

Chemical Management Strategies:

These insects are readily controlled with insecticides, but these will need to be applied at least twice - in May and August to prevent damage. Insecticidal soaps may also be beneficial, especially in early spring when overwintered eggs are beginning to hatch.

For the latest information on available chemical controls, consult the Pesticide Selection Guide.

References:

Coffelt, M. A., 1985. The Biology of a Honeysuckle Aphid, Hyadaphis tataricae (Aizenberg) in Nebraska. M. S. Thesis, Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, 55 pp.