On 15 Apr, 22:28, "Martin Pentreath"
wrote:
Thanks for the various words of encouragement, I'll persevere with the
washing-up liquid for a bit longer. I do notice quite a lot of
ladybird hanky-panky going on on the plant, so I have been surprised
at the small numbers of offspring. Anyone got any suggestions for
spotting ladybird larvae and avoiding wiping them out along with the
aphids? Or maybe it's better not even to use washing-up liquid and
just to let the ladybird larvae get on with it.

I'm in inner London by the way, if that makes any difference - not the
most natural of ecosystems in the first place. Slugs and aphids seem
to have inherited this part of the earth.

You're of the right mind ) You're doing ok with the washing up
liquid - but it takes time. Patience is the trick. And as K has said,
we do take out the good with the bad with spraying washing up liquid
if we're not careful. And it's too difficult to find which is which.
Squashing them is another option - also reducing the lanky and long
stems of your clematis which catches the aphids in their flights would
reduce the infestation. I always every year get aphids on our rose
floribonda on a 6 metres long fence. It's totally impossible to avoid,
but seeing ladybirds multiplying, ants going up an down, and gangs of
bluetits along with Mr and Mrs Robin banqueting in there, it's worth
just using washing up liquid and giving a bit back to nature ;o)