It's probably earwigs. Don't put too much faith in Sevin. Go out at night armed with a flashlight and insecticidal soap. You have to hit them directly, bit it has been very effective for me.

To prove that, here is what happened after I got the earwig problem in control. I still go out every few nights because there are still many.

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I got this tip from someone in the perennial forum (I think!)

I put an 8 oz. plastic cup of vegetable oil (about half full) next to my clematis, dug it in a bit so the top was only about two inches above the ground. I was a bit skeptical, but tried it. It is not a quick fix, but it works. The first morning there was about five earwigs in the cup, but within about a week I had a full cup of earwigs, and no more damage. I tossed the disgusting cup and replaced with a new one. I was so impressed I have little cups everywhere catching loads of earwigs.

Hope you can get rid of the destructive little critters.

WoW Janet, those earwigs really are doing a number on your clematis!

That's nothing compared to some of the other ones. The new growth tips were completely stripped of their leaves, just like the OP experienced. I had to cut back a couple of clematis because they were so unsightly.

The clematis in pots on my deck were easier to control, so I did get some blooms to enjoy.

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Can't imagine having to deal with those nasty critters. I guess we all have our crosses to bear though--mine is mildew and yours is earwigs! Lovely shots!!

Thank you! I had great subjects :-)

I have not seen powdery mildew on any of my clems which surprises me. It must be very frustrating for you.

Yep it can be Janet. I treat it with a mildewicide and that works for some but not others. This year I am trying a new variety that I will have to look the name up of but it is found at Lowes and contains 70% Neem oil. So far no mildew on Roguchi which has been one of my biggest succumbers to mildew! Fingers crossed here that I have at last found something to tame it on a truly great clematis as far as flower color and form goes in my book.

Janet- next year try removing the wooden lattice and give them something else to climb on. The earwigs hid between the slats of that lattice during the day and come out at night and have their picnic. I think you'd be surprised totear them lattice apart right now andsee how many are lurking --it's moist, dark and just big enough to squeezr in between. I had the lattice two years like that before I realized the problem. I replaced the lattice with black vinyl netting which becomes all but invisible against my wooden fence and the earwings have moved on.

I have earwigs and mildew......I've got earwig problems on Clems that are nowhere near lattice. Some are much worse damaged than others. Chewed down to nubbins. Helios has damage on every leaf and Avante garde has not been able to get anywhere.

I went out in the dead of night with my flashlight and, maybe the sevin did them in, but I see zero evidence of earwigs. The clematis seem to want to hang in there because teeny tiny new leaves are trying to sprout along the decimated stems here & there. Wish I could tell what kind of critter it was, earwig or otherwise.

The earwigs are everywhere, not just between the lattice. I went out the other night and got less than 75, so I am making progress. I dislike using Sevin and have stopped. Sevin is deadly to bees. I've also seen earwigs sitting on leaves that have dried Sevin on them, so once it's dry I'm not sure how effective it is.

I believe Sevin is a contact insecticide. NO residual effect.

You must hit the bug to kill it.

I did the rolled up newspaper trap thing. Got one earwig. However, I know they are there. I disturbed a nest of baby ones the other day and smashed as many as possible but boy those suckers are fast movers.

Sevin can also be ingested to be effective. I use it to kill tons of japanese beetles on a contorted filbert, crepe myrtle foliage and blooms, and persicaria. It was also used in the past on them when I had a variegated porcelain vine which they loved.

I'm about to tarp the pond and get out the Orthene which is a systemic. I've got root weevils and earwigs absolutely decimating my plants this year. My damage is much worse than in those photos above.....:(

Sorry to hear about your weevils and earwigs BorS. Good luck with the spraying!!

I haven't done it yet. I really hate to. There are hundreds of treefrogs hopping about. I don't want to hit them accidently.

The damage I've got is really bad though. Poor Avant garde has barely been able to grow, let alone bloom they love her.

They are chomping off the new growth on the ones I whacked back to brown twigs too. I fear for Mrs. N. Thompson since she is such a wimp in the first place.

Maybe I'll mix it up in a pump spray bottle instead of the hose sprayer, that might give me more control.

I've been trying forever to get rid of the bug that was eating up my clematis, and havent had any luck. Someone told me it could be leaf hoppers. I tried some spray, that didnt work. Could it really be earwigs? Wow, I didn't think they would climb up 6ft or so to get to the flower petals. I havent seen them outside, but I guess I haven't looked at night. We've been having a problem lately with earwigs in the house so there must be lots outside.

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yes, earwigs do climb up that high.

Definitely looks like earwigs to me also!

My earwigs are also decimating my clematis. I swear I should be able to hear them munching at night! What is the old "Newspaper trap," Buyorsell?

I'm going to try the cooking oil. I hate to use Sevin and nothing else has worked. This plant is my pride and joy!

Roll up newspaper and secure with rubber band. Moisten it. I've read to put bread crusts in it also.

In the Am you are supposed to find it full of earwigs and dump them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.

I have't tried the bread yet.

dump right over the bucket, they are fast and will get away if you try to check for them first.