Curly Rose Slugs

13 years ago

I noticed that the new growth on some of my longer rose canes is being eaten by something, starting at the tip of the cane and working its way down. Turns out, it's these little guys ... Curly Rose Slugs. Since I snapped such a good photo of them, I figured I'd do a public service and post it here, in case anyone else has the same thing happening to their roses.

Unlike the rose slugs we are used to that make oval holes in the leaves, these guys start at the leaf margins and they eat the whole leaflet till they get to the midrib.

In addition to being on the undersides of the leaves, the little critters also like to curl up and hide on stipules.

You're welcome!

Here is a link that might be useful: Today's Rosy Blog Post ... Hartwood Roses

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Comments (10)

roseseek
13 years ago
That's an excellent photo, Connie. Thank you for posting it! This should definitely help others figure out what their rose problem might be. Thanks. Kim
jerijen
13 years ago
Well, what crummy little critters! I hope we don't have these in CA!!

Jeri
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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
13 years ago
They're very aptly named and I think I would have remembered if I'd seen these little oddities. I'm hoping they only like it east of the Rockies. Connie, I hope the birds in your area will think these are a dream come true, a sort of sluggy version of filet mignon.

Ingrid
AquaEyes 7a NJ
13 years ago
Ugh, they're so annoying! I was going on daily "flick" patrol but stopped a month ago when I thought they were gone. They're back. I normally wouldn't care much about some leaf-nibbling, but they sometimes get entire sets of leaflets on new-growth before I discover them. And when starting with bands, that set-back is frustrating.

:-/

~Christopher
zjw727
13 years ago
I have terrible trouble here with Sawfly Larvae...is that the same thing? We've been having a stretch of grey weather, and the Sawfly have gone out of control!
User
13 years ago
They look as evilly voracious as snails....which tend not to munch on roses but hostas are a fantasy plant in my garden and whole seedtrays can be decimated in a night -I truly sympathise, Christopher....those little fledgling bands, chomped....bah!
catsrose
13 years ago
I have met them. Tho I refuse to participate in chemical warfare, nevertheless, I have drawn my red line. Squish 'em dead!
zeffyrose
13 years ago
Great picture Connie---I've never seen these critters but then witht the heat and the skeeters I don't venture outside very often---only to pick a bouquet and then back in the house

Florence
amelie325
13 years ago
Those little buggers are worse than the JB's and aphids combined this year. Every day or so I go on a flick and squish mission.
meredith_e Z7b, Piedmont of NC, 1000' elevation
13 years ago
Ah! These are the kind that I'm talking about when I talk about roseslug damage being really bad on some of my roses sometimes. They can eat a whole lot!

I do my careful spraying of spinosad (wait till the bees are in for the night, pull off nearby flowers, don't soak) if they get out of control on individual plants. It works well for them.

A few aren't bad, but they can go kind of bonkers ;) They still curl up and try to hide when there isn't a leaf left in sight! Squishing works, but you might be squishing every surface of every leaf on the rose (every day!) if they get bad :D