What is eating my rose bush - Ask Extension
Attached are the pictures i took of our rose bush. It also happened last year as well. Please let us know how we can treat this situation.
Knowledgebase
What is eating my rose bush #866680
Asked May 01, 2024, 5:55 PM EDT
Attached are the pictures i took of our rose bush. It also happened last year as well. Please let us know how we can treat this situation.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Praveen,
I can't make an identification without a picture of the actual insect. I can tell you that the damage looks consistent with roseslug sawflies. The insects will be located on the underside of the leaves, where they feed. More information about roseslug sawflies can be found here: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/sawflies/ You could also take and send a picture of the insect to us if you need further guidance.
Marie
Attached are the pictures that i took from the back side of the leaves. How can we get rid of them and protect the rose bushes. Please let me know.
Praveen

Hello Praveen,
Thank you for the additional pictures. These are indeed Roseslug Sawflies, and management options are included on the page we linked to previously about this insect. Generally, they are easy to blast off the foliage with just a strong spray of plain water from a garden hose. Otherwise, one of the lower-toxicity insecticide ingredients mentioned in that page can be sprayed, but must coat the leaf undersides where the larvae are hiding; if the sprays don't contact them directly, they won't work very well. Even if you decide not to treat the plants, the rose should gradually recover just fine on its own.
Miri
Thank you for the additional pictures. These are indeed Roseslug Sawflies, and management options are included on the page we linked to previously about this insect. Generally, they are easy to blast off the foliage with just a strong spray of plain water from a garden hose. Otherwise, one of the lower-toxicity insecticide ingredients mentioned in that page can be sprayed, but must coat the leaf undersides where the larvae are hiding; if the sprays don't contact them directly, they won't work very well. Even if you decide not to treat the plants, the rose should gradually recover just fine on its own.
Miri