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Borer pest in rose bush #875693

Asked July 02, 2024, 3:26 PM EDT

What is /are these insects damaging our rosebushes? Cutting out damaged bits, we found a greenish-white grublike insect in the center of the branch. There was also a hopping/jumping bug, about 1/2" long (or a little longer), light green, cigar-shaped, with a pair of lighter dots on its back.

Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

The pest is a rose cane borer. The adults bore into the end of a cut rose cane to deposit their eggs, the eggs hatch and you saw the green larvae of the insect. Spraying the rose with an insecticide will not help to control the cane borer as they a covered in the middle of the cane. To control the rose cane borer, cut back the cane an inch or two at a time until you do not see the tunnel in the middle of the cane. Immediately spread Elmer’s White glue over the cut end of the cane. When the glue dries it will provide a protective cap over the cane so the cane borer can not bore into the cane. Any time you prune your roses cover the cut with white glue.


Thank you for your question and have a great gardening experience.


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