Rose aphid
Macrosiphum rosae
14 host plants
Last updated
Green, pink, or red-brown aphids about 1/8 inch long cluster on new rose growth, buds, and stems, especially in June and July. Soft-bodied insects with long antennae contort flowers and leaves through their feeding; sticky honeydew contaminates blooms. Heavy infestations reduce flower quantity and quality.
Monitor weekly during peak periods. Strong water spray dislodges aphids; repeat every few days. Early-season horticultural oil or insecticidal soap targets colonizing aphids. Conserve ladybugs and parasitic wasps which provide excellent natural control by mid-summer.
Quick Reference
All these aphids are light green in color. Spirea aphid is very difficult to separate from apple aphid without high magnification, whereas apple grain aphid can be distinguished by a yellowish green stripe down the middle of the back. Apple grain aphids infest pear only in the early part of the season, while apple aphid is present all summer. Aphids suck plant sap and live in colonies on new shoots. Populations are damaging only sporadically. Damage appears as rolled leaves, stunted terminal...
Cultural Controls
- biological control Many parasites and predators attack aphid.
- Monitor the proportion of aphid mummies to unparasitized adults and the number of predators such as lady beetles.
- If the biocontrol agents appear to be gaining control, avoid sprays which would disrupt this system.
- Most products available for aphid control are highly disruptive of natural enemies.
- Management-cultural control Aphid populations tend to be higher in plants that are fertilized liberally with nitrogen.
- Prune out suckers...