Trying to reason...

There's no poop on the rose buds, so the bug is large. Small caterpillar like bugs do leave their frass where they ate.

Possibly a large (really large) grasshopper? Just stopped by for an appetizer.

When I see this, it's either (rarely) a caterpillar, or more commonly, a squirrel. Some, but only some, seem to have a taste for buds.

stillann, I found this illustration of a really large grasshopper a few hours after I read your post, and had to share:

http://www.sothebys.com/it/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/19th-century-european-paintings-l14101/lot.7.html

Virginia

I have this problem also! We do have lots of squirrels, and grasshoppers. I guess there isn't much to do about it then.

I have had this problem as well! I have squirrel's and grasshoppers! The chickens can get the grasshopper's and my daughter ,got a bb gun with pellets, air pumped,for her birthday and wants to eat and skin a squirrel-eww, can take care of the squirrel!

If you go out early in the morning when it's still quite cool, the grasshoppers have trouble moving and you can cut their heads off with clippers.

Sorry but I am not a grasshopper fan.

my rosebuds look just like that when the squirrels nibbled on them. I put it down to a beetle but then actually saw the squirrels eat the buds.

Curdle, you got possum habitats nearby? Melodye

my house is surrounded by an oak grove, very pretty, but I don't think the squirrels are going anywhere.

Thank you all for your suggestions. We dont get squirrels here, but ohh that talk of possums had me worried Melodye - because there are plenty of them around. They have helped themselves to the nice juicy tips of my snowpeas, although they were kind enough to leave the peas themselves, then devastated the tomato crop once it was discovered (i had about 11 plants, ended up with about 10 tomatoes grr- the evil beasts were eating them green once I started removing tommies with even a hint of yellow).

One even got into the house via an open bathroom window and visited me in my room on New Years Eve! It almost scared me to death by waking me up by jumping and perching on the foot rail of the bed. You really don't want to wake up feeling that theres "something" in the room, close your eyes convinced you're being silly and still a bit tipsy, then feel your bed move ... So I'm a bit over the whole possum thing...

But it isn't possums :) I just went out to check Mary Mags and there was a great fat grasshopper sitting on her. So I took hoovbs suggestion and now its an x grasshopper. If only possums were that easy...

Good news, curdle! Easier to grab a grasshopper than a possum. Yes, I know that feeling of fright. I was once wakened by a crash in the kitchen at 3a.m. Dog and DH still asleep! Nudged DH and informed him in a whisper someone was in the kitchen so he immediately SWITCHED THE LIGHT ON ! ....walked down to the kitchen, and called me to come and see 'the burglar', nearly laughing himself silly. Yep, you got it, one very large possum blinded by the light, sitting among the remains of the sugar bowl. Took some careful shepherding to get it out the back door. Brave guard dog slept through the lot! I, on the other hand, didn't sleep at all after that. Ours came in through an open window above the stair landing. Happily, with the development of a native flora and fauna park nearby, the local possums stay on the reservation, so to speak. Melodye

I get identical damage from katydids aka bush crickets. If i see them I just snatch them up (they think they're invisible, but you still have to be quick), then it's "here chook, chook, chook...."

http://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Common-Garden-Katydid/Caedicia/simplex.html

http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_grasshoppers/GardenKatydid.htm

You might try mixing a weak solution of capsicum, or hot sauce and spray the buds. If it is squirrels, that will probably ruin their appetite. Unless they are Mexican squirrels.

Just an idea for a possible fix.

Cheers, Rick