What's eating my sky blue aster?

Sky Blue Aster is relatively tough but attracts aphids and lace bugs common to native asters. The tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris) can ruin flowers before they open. Deer will graze on it. This prairie-native aster is naturally drought-adapted, and stressed plants in poor conditions attract heavier pest pressure.

Green or black clusters on shoot tips; leaves distort, and honeydew promotes sooty mold Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent infestations; beneficial insects provide natural control

Stippled, bleached upper leaf surfaces and brown frass on undersides; plants look dusty and sick Spray undersides with neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove heavily affected foliage; avoid overhead watering which spreads the insects

Bud blast and distorted, spotted petals; affected buds brown and fail to open fully Keep garden edges mowed to reduce overwintering habitat; use row covers pre-bloom; pyrethrin spray targets nymphs in early summer