Garlic plant aphid? - Ask Extension
What are these on our burning bushes? The entire top of our three bushes are infested. I have never seen these before in the 20 years since we plant...
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Garlic plant aphid? #834389
Asked June 07, 2023, 3:44 PM EDT
What are these on our burning bushes? The entire top of our three bushes are infested. I have never seen these before in the 20 years since we planted them. Read an article about a new aphid to destroy wild garlic (I think). My husband used neem oil and Captain Jacks insecticide.
Thank you.
Anita Ackley
Shiawassee County Michigan
Expert Response
The Garlic Mustard Aphid does not use burning bush as a host. Unfortunately your photo is not high enough resolution for me to identify what is present on the leaves. There are other aphids that will feed on Euonymus. If they are aphids, then insecticidal soap is a good option. Sometimes you can even just spray them off with a hard spray from the garden hose. If you want them identified, you could send a sample to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (pestid.msu.edu).
I'm providing additional photos. Three burning bushes I have, the entire top of the bush stems are curled. Each curl had many if these bugs, along with a white doted substance on the leaf below it. This is a first for us in the 20+ years they have been planted. We used insecticidal soap, neem oil, but I'm not sure it has helped.
Thank you.
Looks like these same bushes have Asian lady beetles. Friend or foe?
Looks like these same bushes have Asian lady beetles. Friend or foe?
The lady beetle larva is definitely a friend! They will eat the aphids. As bad as this looks, it will not have a big impact on the overall health of the shrubs. In the long term, natural enemies like the lady beetles will attack the aphids and keep them from returning next year. I would not recommend using any stronger pesticides. There is a chance some of the shoot tips that are most heavily attacked will wilt and die, but they can just be pruned off to improve the aesthetics of the shrub. The best course of action with this kind of infestation is usually to just ride it out and let nature take its course.
Thanks for the feedback!