What's eating my therese bugnet rose?

Therese Bugnet is a very hardy rugosa hybrid bred for cold climates; its thick, disease-resistant foliage means fungal problems are rare. Aphids appear on spring new growth and Japanese beetles (US) are a midsummer threat. Its extreme hardiness and vigour make it naturally resilient, so pest impacts are usually cosmetic rather than plant-threatening.

Clusters on shoot tips and bud stalks in spring; sticky honeydew and minor leaf curl are typical symptoms. Strong water jet or insecticidal soap spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings; rarely requires chemical intervention on this vigorous cultivar.

Flowers and leaves skeletonised by aggregating adult beetles from late June through August; damage can be significant on the fragrant blooms. Hand-pick into soapy water each morning; neem oil spray as a deterrent; grub control in surrounding lawn with milky spore.

Localised skeletonised patches on leaves; pale, multi-legged larvae feeding on undersides from late spring. Hand-pick larvae; spinosad spray if widespread; Therese Bugnet's vigour means light infestations rarely need treatment.

Bark gnawing or cane severing at ground level on young plants, especially during winter when other food is scarce. Wire mesh guard around the base for the first two winters; established plants with hardened bark are less vulnerable.