Pest identification
What's eating my japanese rose?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new shoots and buds; sticky honeydew and sooty mould follow.
Control: Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds and lacewings.
Rose sawfly (Endelomyia aethiops)
Signs: Window-pane feeding by pale caterpillar-like larvae skeletonises leaflets, leaving a papery membrane.
Control: Hand-pick larvae; spray with pyrethrin or spinosad in the evening; remove affected leaves.
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
Signs: Adults skeletonise foliage and chew petals in midsummer, leaving a lacy, brownish leaf canopy.
Control: Hand-pick beetles into soapy water in the morning; use neem oil; apply milky spore to soil to target grubs.
Deer
Signs: Ragged, torn stems and missing foliage, especially on young canes in spring and autumn.
Control: Deer-repellent sprays (e.g. Deer Off); motion-activated deterrents; physical fencing around vulnerable plants.
Keep japanese rose pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Japanese Rose pests — FAQ
What is eating my japanese rose?
Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa) is attacked mainly by aphids, rose sawfly larvae, and Japanese beetles outdoors. Deer and rabbits may browse young shoots. It is notably more disease-resistant than hybrid roses, but the same sap-sucking and leaf-chewing insects affect it. Aphids clustering on new growth are the most frequent complaint.
How do I get rid of aphids on japanese rose?
Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new shoots and buds; sticky honeydew and sooty mould follow. Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds and lacewings.
How do I get rid of rose sawfly (endelomyia aethiops) on japanese rose?
Window-pane feeding by pale caterpillar-like larvae skeletonises leaflets, leaving a papery membrane. Hand-pick larvae; spray with pyrethrin or spinosad in the evening; remove affected leaves.
How do I get rid of japanese beetle (popillia japonica) on japanese rose?
Adults skeletonise foliage and chew petals in midsummer, leaving a lacy, brownish leaf canopy. Hand-pick beetles into soapy water in the morning; use neem oil; apply milky spore to soil to target grubs.
How do I get rid of deer on japanese rose?
Ragged, torn stems and missing foliage, especially on young canes in spring and autumn. Deer-repellent sprays (e.g. Deer Off); motion-activated deterrents; physical fencing around vulnerable plants.