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Sawfly and Leaf Miners on Rose Bush and Columbine #867562

Asked May 08, 2024, 12:16 PM EDT

What is the best way to rid a rose bush of a sawfly infestation and a columbine with leaf miners without harming pollinators?

Huron County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi. 

You may or may not need to do anything about your sawfly. It depends on what type it is. OSU’s Buckeye Yard and Garden Online newsletter had a nice post about this a few years ago, and you can access it here. It explains that what was once the typical Roseslug Sawfly (Endelomyia aethiops) has only one generation per year, and since the early-season damage is soon covered by new growth, it isn’t worth treating. More recently, however, the Bristly Roseslug Sawfly (Cladius difformis) has become common, and it has multiple generations per year, which results in compounding damage that warrants control. Therefore, the first step is identifying the culprit. You can try to do so yourself with the images in that article, or you can send in a photo if you can take a good one. If you are concerned about pollinators, here are OSU's recommendations: “Biorationals such insecticidal soaps are effective, but direct contact is necessary. Products containing spinosad (e.g. Conserve, Entrust) are effective against sawfly larva and will also have less impact on bio-control agents. Chlorantraniliprole (e.g. Acelepryn) is also effective and presents a low risk to pollinators.” Of course, you should be sure to read and follow all label directions no matter what you use. Additionally, applying in the morning or evening when pollinators are typically less active can help reduce risk to non-target insects.

For the leaf miner, this article from the U. of Wisconsin says that chemical controls are generally not necessary until the infestation is very heavy (since the damage is mostly cosmetic). It says that if you do need to use insecticides, you should do so when the adults first appear: “The adult flies make punctures in the foliage with their ovipositors in order to drink plant fluids, and these small marks are a good indication of the activity of these insects.” However, they note the insecticides will also likely kill the beneficial insects (parasitoids) that naturally work to lower leafminer populations. That sentiment is also echoed by this article from Iowa State U., which says “Insecticides are of little help in controlling columbine leafminers and may do more harm than good by eliminating existing natural enemies.” Note that pollinators could also be harmed if you use a systemic insecticide, as recommended by this article from North Carolina State U., which seems to be the only alternative to tolerating the damage. As for the sawfly, if you do use an insecticide, be sure to read and carefully follow all label directions.

Darin C. Replied May 09, 2024, 2:55 PM EDT

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