Knowledgebase

Insects on Ninebark #788924

Asked May 02, 2022, 2:06 PM EDT

Yesterday I noticed white insects mostly along the inner branches and there is a shiny/sticky substance on the leaves.   The only thing unusual is that I had let the weeds get out of hand, but I had started pulling them a couple days prior.  There is still some weeds left among the ninebark branches. When we pulled out some of the weeds tiny black specks came with them.  So I’m unsure what all this means!  I have heard of some insect or disease that produces the sticky substance.   Can you tell me what all this is and what I should do?  I love this shrub!  :)

Prince George's County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi!

Would you be able to submit close-up photos of the leaves and the black specks you are seeing on your ninebark? You can attach photos directly to your reply.

Thank you,

Jamie

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 02, 2022, 2:13 PM EDT
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Jamie,
I’m curious if you got any of the pictures I sent with original email.  I was getting some message that I was sending too much.  Regardless, see if these two help.  If you can zoom in a little more on the ninebark, you can see white insects on stem and shiny leaves.  There are black insects on the weed but also there are black specks. 
If you need more, let me know. 

Joy

On Mon, May 2, 2022 at 2:14 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 02, 2022, 3:38 PM EDT

Hi Joy!

Thanks for the additional photos. Your ninebark has aphids, a common garden pest. The shiny secretion on the leaves is aphid excrement called honeydew and the other debris is from the shed aphid skins. If necessary, aphids may be reduced by washing them off infested plants with a stream of water. If damage is obvious and little predator or parasite activity is noticed, aphids may be controlled with an application of insecticidal soap.

We have an excellent resource page on aphids and their management here. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/aphids-flowers

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 03, 2022, 11:00 AM EDT
Thank you so much!

On Tue, May 3, 2022 at 11:01 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 03, 2022, 11:23 AM EDT

My pleasure! You can always submit your questions to us at Ask Extension.

Jamie

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 03, 2022, 11:43 AM EDT

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