What's eating my rose?

Roses are attacked by aphids, black spot fungus, rose slugworm sawfly, Japanese beetles (US), and scale insects. Deer and rabbits browse canes heavily in gardens. Aphids are the most consistent and widespread pest year after year, colonising new growth from early spring and transmitting viruses while promoting sooty mould.

Dense pink or green colonies smother new buds and shoot tips, distorting growth, producing sticky honeydew, and triggering black sooty mould on leaves below. Rub off small colonies by hand; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies with companion planting; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; avoid over-feeding with high-nitrogen fertiliser.

Pale green, slug-like larvae skeletonise leaf surfaces, leaving a see-through papery 'window'; severe infestations give plants a scorched look by midsummer. Inspect leaf undersides weekly from late spring; squash or pick off larvae; pyrethrin or spinosad spray for heavy pressure; no need to spray if caught early.

Metallic blue-green beetles skeletonise flowers and foliage from June–August, working from the top of the plant downward in groups; grubs damage roots in turf nearby. Hand-pick beetles into soapy water each morning; do not use pheromone bag traps near roses (attract more beetles); apply pyrethrin; treat surrounding lawn with Heterorhabditis nematodes for grubs.

White, waxy, oyster-shaped scales encrust canes, weakening growth and causing die-back; heavy infestations cause yellowing leaves and stunted shoots. Scrub light infestations off with an old toothbrush and soapy water; prune and bin heavily infested canes; apply horticultural oil in late winter before bud break.