Garden Q&A: Why are our gardens being invaded by aphids?

A warm spring has encouraged rapid and early colony growth, with many aphids to be found now on acers, roses and honeysuckle

A ladybird feeding on aphids. Picture: Alamy/PA

The RHS was right about an invasion of sap-sucking aphids thanks to a warm spring, if my garden is anything to go by.

In the past three weeks, I’ve seen wafts of greenfly smother the stems and buds of pretty flowering perennials and roses, while trademark trails of blackfly have appeared on my clematis.