Trumpet Vine

I planted one of these last year - against sunny wall, all fine & it produced fab flowers. However, whilst it was doing really well up to 2 mos ago with loads of new leaves etc, something is "chopping off" the leaf stalks. The majority of the parts removed are on the ground around the plant. I have starlings nesting under the eves & loads of ants, but apart from that have no idea what's occurring. I took a photo showing the damage but am not sure if I can "plant" it here. The last climbing specimen I tried on that wall was an actinidia polygama, which got ripped apart by the cats, but at least I semi expected that! Any help pls?

 

<img src="http://tinypic.com/5cna1h" alt="Image hosted by TinyPic.com">

Don't know if this will work - too instructions from someone on your website, but this is a picture of the trumpet vine mentioned

 

Cant see your picture, is it a campsis?
Ants suggest aphids which sparrows may be eating and in the process tearing off some of the new soft growth.
Just a guess.
pete

 

Pete, thanks for your msge - it is a campsis radicans mme galen which, according to everything i've read, isn't particularly affected by any disease/insect etc. The stems haven't been chewed but rather chopped, plus it's only happened above the first approx 3' of the plant. I'm absolutely mystified, however birds will be leaving in next month or so, hence if they're the culprits, I'll find out. Oh by the way, no sign of aphids.