Honeylocust Plant Bug

How to identify it

• Nymphs are up to 1/8 inch and adults up to 1/4 inch, pale green and well camouflaged on leaves.^[1]
• Nymphs are very active and look like large, mobile aphids.^[1]
• Shiny, dark, varnish-like droppings show under infested leaves.^[1]

Look-alikes

Where it lives

It feeds on honeylocust, especially trees in sunny, exposed spots, yellow-leaved varieties and recent transplants.^[1]

US map: public records from 6 states since 1990 (GBIF). View the map

Biology and life cycle

Eggs overwinter under twig bark and hatch as buds open; nymphs feed until June.^[1]

There's one generation a year, and adults are rarely seen after late July.^[1]

Damage and signs

• Feeding stipples leaves, which stay small, twisted and dwarfed; severe damage can drop leaves on young trees.^[1]

Health risk

It feeds on honeylocust only; Minnesota Extension mentions no risk to people.^[1]

Control

Prevention

Keep trees healthy and tolerate the damage; it's usually cosmetic.^[1]

Pesticides

Where damage has been heavy, insecticidal soap at bud break, sprayed under the leaves, works on nymphs.^[1]

When to call a professional

For large trees, consider hiring a tree care professional.^[1]

Common questions

Why are my honeylocust leaves small and twisted?

Honeylocust plant bugs feeding on new leaves cause twisting that looks like herbicide damage.^[1]

When should I check?

In early spring, before or as leaf buds open.^[1]

Sources

1. University of Minnesota Extension, “Honeylocust plant bugs (Yard and garden insects).” extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/yard-and-garden-insects/honeylocust-plant-bugs (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. iNaturalist, “Blepharidopterus chlorionis taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/900581 (accessed 2026-10-06)