What's eating my mock orange?

Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius) is fairly robust, but aphids are a recurring problem on new growth, and leaf miners occasionally tunnel through leaves. Capsid bugs cause distorted, holey young foliage. Rabbits and deer may browse stems and bark in rural gardens, especially in winter when little else is available.

Colonies clustered on young shoot tips in spring and early summer; distorted leaves, honeydew and sooty mould Encourage natural predators; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; prune out densely infested tips; a strong water jet removes small colonies

Small brown puncture spots that tear into ragged holes as leaves expand; distorted, tattered-looking foliage in early summer Remove debris and weeds where adults overwinter; apply a contact insecticide or neem oil at the first signs of damage in spring; encourage ground beetles

Pale, winding or blotch-like tunnels visible within the leaf blade; cosmetic damage, rarely serious Pick off and destroy affected leaves promptly; no chemical treatment is usually needed as damage is cosmetic; good garden hygiene reduces overwintering populations