What's eating my wisley 2008 rose?

Wisley 2008 Rose is vulnerable to aphids, rose sawfly, black spot, and rabbit grazing on young stems. Aphids hit first each spring. This David Austin ground-cover/shrub rose has notably good disease resistance, but aphid colonies and sawfly caterpillars can still cause significant growth setback if left unchecked.

Colonies massing on new shoots and developing buds; distorted foliage, sticky deposits, and subsequent sooty mould Remove by hand or water jet; use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; attract hoverflies with companion planting (e.g. marigolds)

Skeletonised patches and translucent leaf windows where larvae feed gregariously on the underside of leaflets Check undersides regularly in late spring; pick off larvae; apply pyrethrin spray if infestation is heavy

Clean-angled gnaw marks at the base of stems, especially over winter; young canes stripped of bark Wrap individual stems in spiral rabbit guards; use wire mesh netting around the bed perimeter; apply proprietary animal repellent