Bugs? Disease? on Clematis - Ask Extension
What's affecting our clematis and how do we address it? There's a small red bug in the pic. Not sure it's the problem.
Knowledgebase
Bugs? Disease? on Clematis #642171
Asked May 27, 2020, 10:13 PM EDT
What's affecting our clematis and how do we address it? There's a small red bug in the pic. Not sure it's the problem.
Goodhue County Minnesota
Expert Response
The red bug is not the problem. I believe it is a nymph (juvenile) boxelder bug. Your leaf shows damage from aphids. They suck the juice out of leaves leaving the damage you see. Check the underside of your leaves carefully for very tiny insects. They can be removed with a strong spray of water and for some reason, cannot climb back up. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/aphids
After reading that you think it's aphids I googled them and I believe that red bug was an aphid when I saw the pictures. It looked just like pictures of a red aphid. We'll address them now. Thanks
