Pest identification
What's eating my blue mistflower?
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on stems; stunted or curled flower buds; ant trails
Control: Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; strong water jet; tolerate light infestations near pollinators
Caterpillars (little metalmark and others)
Signs: Holes and notches eaten in leaves; skeletonised foliage on heavily used plants
Control: Tolerate where possible as these are specialist butterfly larvae; Bt for non-target outbreaks
Leafhoppers
Signs: Pale stippling on leaves; may spread aster yellows disease to susceptible neighbours
Control: Remove heavily infested stems; insecticidal soap; avoid overhead watering
Keep blue mistflower pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Blue Mistflower pests — FAQ
What is eating my blue mistflower?
Blue Mistflower is loved by pollinators but also attracts aphids in late summer and powdery-mildew-spreading leafhoppers. Caterpillars of the little metalmark butterfly feed on foliage — a desirable trait. Deer occasionally browse it. Aphids are the most common pest problem, particularly as plants approach peak bloom.
How do I get rid of aphids on blue mistflower?
Sticky honeydew on stems; stunted or curled flower buds; ant trails Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; strong water jet; tolerate light infestations near pollinators
How do I get rid of caterpillars (little metalmark and others) on blue mistflower?
Holes and notches eaten in leaves; skeletonised foliage on heavily used plants Tolerate where possible as these are specialist butterfly larvae; Bt for non-target outbreaks
How do I get rid of leafhoppers on blue mistflower?
Pale stippling on leaves; may spread aster yellows disease to susceptible neighbours Remove heavily infested stems; insecticidal soap; avoid overhead watering