honeysuckle aphid

Native to eastern Europe and Asia. Recently introduced in North America.

Spring to fall

Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii), Tartarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)

This true bug is rarely seen. It is most often identified by the witches’ broom it produces on its host plant.

Adults are tiny, 1 ⁄32″ to 3 ⁄32″ (1.1 to 2.5 mm) long. They are pale yellowish-green to brownish-yellow or cream-colored, and are coated with a grayish waxy powder.

Stems

Leaves

Unlike most aphids, this aphid completes its life cycle on honeysuckle. It does not migrate to a secondary host. The female lays its eggs on the host, usually on tissue that is already damaged. During the summer, only females are born. As the days cool in the fall, sexual males and females are born. After these sexual adults mate, the female lays eggs which overwinter and hatch the following spring.

The larvae feed on the ends of stems, causing latent buds to become active and produce stunted growth. The excessive small growth at the end of the stem is referred to as a witches’ broom.

Adults feed on leaves. While feeding, they emit a toxin that causes the leaf to fold over. They remain inside the folded leaves.

Sources: 7, 22, 29, 30.

Witches’ broom of honeysuckle aphid