What's eating my frau dagmar hartopp rose?

Frau Dagmar Hartopp (also Frau Dagmar Hastrup) is a compact, disease-resistant rugosa prized for its single pink blooms and large hips. Aphids are the chief recurring pest; Japanese beetles (US) target the flowers in midsummer. Its thorny, dense habit deters most large animal browsers, making pest insects the primary management concern.

Soft colonies on new shoot growth and bud stalks; honeydew and mild bud distortion most noticeable in spring. Blast with water; insecticidal soap spray; beneficial insects usually provide natural control on this robust rugosa.

Petals and leaf tissue eaten, leaving a skeletonised network of veins; adult beetles congregate on open flowers in summer. Hand-pick in early morning; apply neem oil as a contact deterrent; treat lawn grubs with milky spore to reduce next-year adult population.

Translucent-windowed or fully stripped patches on leaves; pale larvae on leaf undersides from May onwards. Regular leaf inspection; remove by hand or apply pyrethrin in the evening; plant vigour usually compensates for mild attack.