What`s eaten my Budd?????????

I think something has eaten all my budd stems just below the new flower heads and they have dropped off.
All the stems have been affected and I don`t think I will see any flowers this year :(
Whatever it is,it is not touching the buds themselves.

The black marks are the issue and it is only happening just below the new buds,any ideas?

 

I haven't seen anything like this- but I'd nip the stems back to the next leaf. Buddleias are quite obliging plants and might produce new flower buds later.

 

Hi Liz, this is the first time this has happened and I don`t have a clue what could be causing it.
I have cut the stems back and with a bit of luck I might get something.

 

Are there any caterpillars in there Pip?

 

Hi Pip,I had the same problem with my Rosemary.When I opened up the leaves there was a very small caterpillar inside.I got a pair of scissors and cut the affected parts of the plant and crushed the caterpillar.It cured the problem.I have never had the problem with Budleia's though.I hope this helps you with your problem....

 

Had a look in the last remaining bud for caterpillars,no joy. I did come across this little thing under a leaf. What alerted me to it was the black deposit at the rear end. Every time a bud dropped off,a day or two later,there would be this dark brown droplet(much larger than on picture) sat at the top of the stem. If this thing and it`s friends have attacked my budd they must have done it by injecting and breaking down the plant structure then drinking it. Explaining the dark droplets left behind.
Sorry about the clarity of the picture as the fly is only the size of a greenfly.

 

As an idea, may help, may not but shouldn't hurt either way. I'd try spraying washing up liquid on it. like you do with crops etc. Good Luck!

 

Hi Clare, the damage has already been done but if I do get any more buds and these flies reappear(assuming that they are the culprits) then I will try your tip,as you said, it shouldn`t harm.