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Philadelphus Aureus black substance around branches - ants eggs?

cammy0102cammy0102 Posts: 49
in Problem solving
Hello ladies and gents,
We have a young Philadelphus Aureus plant. I noticed today that there's a black substance around the branches. Could these be ants eggs? I have seen ants on the ground. Could the eggs/ants be harmful to the plant? If so how do I get rid of them without damaging the plant? I think I have seen something similar with a young Acer plant in the past.
thanks. 


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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just looks like aphids. You can wipe them off with your hand, or a squirt from a hose or similar  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • cammy0102cammy0102 Posts: 49
    edited May 2023
    They are not moving though when I try to remove them hence I thought they are eggs. The 2nd picture was taken after me trying to remove them.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In that case, I think we'd need a better photo @cammy0102  :)

    Having said that - I zoomed in a little and there's definitely legs on some, so probably just hatching. 
    Take a look at the underside of the leaves too, and see if there are eggs there. 

    Here's a little bit of info about them too
    https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/other-garden-wildlife/insects-and-other-invertebrates/beetles-and-bugs/aphid/


    Failing that, some of the wildlife boffins here may be able to pinpoint it -@wild edges or @steephill will hopefully see my tag on their names.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • cammy0102cammy0102 Posts: 49
    Thanks Fairygirl, I'll check again and do what you have suggested.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hopefully 'the boys' will also see and be able to help you if it isn't aphids  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Black aphids??......can be sprayed off with dilute washing-up liquid ; rinse off after several minutes to avoid damaging the plant .
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    or you could hang a bird feeder over it and the Bluetit will love them. They need juicy stuff to feed the babies at this time of year


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Philadelphus are very prone to black aphids in my experience. Pray for ladybirds 🐞 
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    I've been getting some of those on my philadelphus. I noticed the gummed up leaves and since it was only the tip, I snipped it off and stamped on it. Hopefully ladybirds will be laying eggs shortly and the larvae can make short work of any aphids.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    cammy0102 said:
    They are not moving though when I try to remove them hence I thought they are eggs. The 2nd picture was taken after me trying to remove them.
    They're aphids. The nymphs cling tight to the stem and sit there sucking sap out of it which is why they don't move. If it makes you feel better they're a really good source of sugar for bees at this time of year. You might see ants crawling over them but they're just after the sugar as well. The ants then go off and do pest control elsewhere in the garden so it's not all bad.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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