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Rose leaves are skeletonized - what's eating them? Picture incl.

16 years ago

I found two of my shrub roses completely skeletonized this morning. A few days algo, they were fine. I'm panicked because, at this rate, I'll lose them all in a few more days. I have no idea what's eating them. I did find something on the stems this morning, but it looks more like some sort of bee (black, furry, yellow coloring on back legs). When I went back out there, there was another of these things on my malva plants (planted next to my shrub roses).

I've attached a picture of my leaves, if that will help.

Image link:

Featured Answer

rjinga

16 years ago

is it me, or is it impossible to ignore rude and ignorant comments like from squonnk above...is that a joke played on you by someone you know? or just someone being a jerk? just curious.....

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Comments (7)

pieheart
16 years ago
japanese beetles? Roses are a favorite for them.
bluemtn290
Original Author
16 years ago
I found what's eating them, though I don't know what it is. I sprayed a mixture of water/ivory soap/baking soda and a tiny gray moth-like thing flew off. Looking closer, I found tiny green worm-like things attached to the leaves of another rose plant. There were 50+ of them...they were everywhere! Are these related to the gray moth? I pulled many of them off, dropping them into a bowl. They curled up. How do I get rid of them? They seem unaffected by my water solution.

Any help appreciated!
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The small green caterpillar looking things are the sawfly larvae, as mentioned. The damage began in our area about 2-3 years ago. We started using BT, but that did not work since they were not caterpillars. Neem or Pyrethrum works, but has to be used quite often. Here's more info from Naturework.com: SAWFLIES look very much like caterpillars but are actually a group of insects related to wasps and bees. Adult sawflies are inconspicuous wasp-like insects that do not sting. The larval or immature stage of sawflies are plant feeders and look like hairless caterpillars (the immature stage of butterflies and moths). Sawflies often feed in groups and can quickly defoliate portions of their host plant. There are many different species of sawflies and each prefers specific plants or groups of related plants. Common sawflies on garden flowers include the Rose Sawfly (also called the Rose Slug) which feeds from mid-May through June, the HIBISCUS SAWFLY, the European Pine Sawfly (which infests Mugho pines in May and June) and the Dogwood sawfly (which defoliates Lysmachias and our native red twigged dogwoods). Bacillis thuringiensis will NOT work on sawflies! Instead, use Neem or Pyrethrum mixed with alcohol. Rotenenone/Pyrethrum wettable powder can be used as a last resort, but be aware that this is a botanical insecticide that is very strong and will kill honeybees. Use it only in the evening after the honeybees have returned to the hive and only as a last resort.
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Rose Slugs. (which are Sawfly larvae) Check the website below. Jeri Here is a link that might be useful: Baldo Villegas Bugs and Roses Web Site
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I found this link that might help: Posted by gardenguru1950 SunsetZ16 (My Page) on Sat, Aug 8, 09 at 13:06 The most common "eater" of rose leaves in California is the Bristly Rose Slug, the larvae of the Rose Sawfly. The sawfly is a pudgy little wasp. It lays its eggs on the UNDERSIDES of the leaves and the caterpillars feed on the UNDERSIDES of the leaves. The rose slug is tiny, no more than 1/4-inch long and very slender, and it's the exact same pale green as the undersides of the leaves. Talk about hard to see and find! It's the critter that "skelotinizes" rose leaves. It's pretty easy to get rid of, actually. Almost any good spray will do the job: insecticidal soap, Neem, pyrethrum. The trick is to spray thoroughly UNDER the leaves. Not stand back and spray all over. You have to get UNDER the leaves. By the way, a commonly suggested spray for rose sawfly is BT. It doesn't work. It doesn't work because it's meant for the caterpillars of moths and butterflies. The rose slug is the larvae of a wasp. And I'm not sure of any beneficial insect that preys upon it. As for your rose buds, Applenut has a good idea. Go outside late at night with a flashlight. The critter most likely is an earwig, sowbug or pillbug. It also might be a slug or snail. Joe Here is a link that might be useful: Bugs that eat roses' leaves
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Thanks Kimmsr, but nope - that's not it. The ones I have are metallic/shiny, like Japanese beetles, and they are also about the same length as they are wide - these are more "sandy" colored and long. I'll have to dig out my camera and see if I can get a good pic of this thing. (Who knew there were so many kinds of beetles?)
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squonnk
16 years ago
I think you answered your own question when you said it's been "skeletonized". They are being eaten by skeletons. You may want to ask yourelf, do I live in or near a cemetary? You may wish to move. Alternately, it might be a good idea to have a reliable laboratory test the water you're using for irrigation. Most municipalities do NOT use holy water. If that is the case in your situation, call your local ag. extension office and have their on-staff clergyman bless your hose.
In small numbers, skeletons are a minor nuisance. They inflict very little damage and make noises not un-like someone shaking a box of bowling pins under your bedroom window at night. However, they go away when the weather cools and the environment no longer favors them. (i.e. the cold is makin' me bones ache).
Unfortunately, when you have a real infestation this early in the season, as it appears you do here, they will consume everything in your yard. Once their food supply outside is exhausted they will move into your house and eat your brains. If you have pets, offer them as a sacrifice while you beat a hasty retreat. Another option, if you choose, is to let them eat your brains so that next season you may join their lamentable crew. It's a matter of personal preferance, really.
Carol_Ann
16 years ago
I don't know what the larvae you found are -- any chance you can post a photo? -- but a soap solution should take care of them. Just use some soap in your water -- they'll drown if you drop them in it. Laundry soap or dish detergent or whatever should do it. Good luck!
Kimmsr
16 years ago
Possibly Bristly Rose Slug, the larva of a wasp known as a sawfly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bristly Rose Slug
squonnk
16 years ago
It's too bad you don't live in CA anymore. Maybe I'll get out to GA because seriously rjinga, we have GOT to go out and party together.
D.J.: "Everybody put your hands in the air!"
rjinga: "Doesn't that idiot even consider that there might be a ceiling fan in the room?!?! How rude!"

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