What's eating my henry's honeysuckle?

Henry's honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi) is a vigorous evergreen climber susceptible to aphids that curl new growth, honeysuckle sawfly larvae that can defoliate stems, and powdery mildew in humid conditions. Aphids are the most reliably reported pest; the plant's vigour means it usually outgrows light infestations, but spring colonies need prompt attention.

Colonies on shoot tips cause curled, dwarfed leaves; honeydew deposits lead to sooty mould and attract ants Treat in spring before populations peak; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; prune out crowded growth to improve air circulation and access for predators

Larvae skeletonise or completely strip leaves from stems, sometimes rapidly defoliating large sections of the vine Hand-remove visible larvae; spray insecticidal soap or pyrethrin at first signs; birds and ground beetles are effective natural controls

Armoured brown scales on stems and branches cause yellowing leaves, stunted growth and die-back of older wood Scrape off scales manually; apply horticultural oil in late winter before new growth; systemic insecticide for heavy persistent infestations