What's eating my lonicera periclymenum?

Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is reliably targeted by the honeysuckle aphid, which causes tight leaf-curl at shoot tips each spring. Sawfly larvae can also skeletonise leaves, and deer or rabbits browse stems in gardens. Prompt removal of affected shoot tips stops aphid populations from establishing on the rest of the plant.

Tightly curled, crumpled leaves at the tips of new shoots in spring; stunted flowering stems; sticky honeydew. Pinch out and bin infested shoot tips before aphids spread; spray remaining colonies with insecticidal soap; avoid excess nitrogen fertiliser.

Larvae skeletonise leaves from the margins inward, leaving a lacy network of veins; damage appears in early summer. Hand-pick larvae (they drop when disturbed); apply pyrethrin-based spray to young larvae; clear leaf litter in autumn to reduce overwintering pupae.

Clean-cut gnawing at the base of stems, particularly on young plants; bark stripping can girdle and kill established stems. Protect with wire guards around the base; use rabbit-repellent sprays; plant through a buried wire mesh skirt to stop burrowing near roots.