Diff: Aphids and Spider Mites

== Aphids and Spider Mites ==

== Aphids and Spider Mites ==

Aphids and spider mites both feed on roses but need different expectations. Aphids are insects on soft growth. Spider mites are arachnids that often flare in hot, dry, dusty, or drought-stressed conditions.

Aphids and spider mites both feed on roses but need different expectations. Aphids are insects on soft growth. Spider mites are arachnids that often flare in hot, dry, dusty, or drought-stressed conditions.

=== Aphid signs ===

=== Aphid signs ===

* Clusters on soft shoots, buds, and new leaves.

* Clusters on soft shoots, buds, and new leaves.

* Sticky honeydew and sometimes black sooty mould.

* Sticky honeydew and sometimes black sooty mould.

* Distorted soft growth when populations are high.

* Distorted soft growth when populations are high.

* Ant activity may protect aphids from predators.

* Ant activity may protect aphids from predators.

=== Spider mite signs ===

=== Spider mite signs ===

* Fine yellow or white stippling on leaves.

* Fine yellow or white stippling on leaves.

* Bronzing or dusty-looking foliage.

* Bronzing or dusty-looking foliage.

* Fine webbing on undersides when populations are high.

* Fine webbing on undersides when populations are high.

* Mites show up by tapping foliage over white paper and watching for moving specks.

* Mites show up by tapping foliage over white paper and watching for moving specks.

=== Cultural and mechanical controls ===

=== Cultural and mechanical controls ===

* Support vigorous but not overfed plants.

* Support vigorous but not overfed plants.

* Use a firm water spray to knock aphids or light mite populations off leaves, including leaf undersides.

* Use a firm water spray to knock aphids or light mite populations off leaves, including leaf undersides.

* Reduce drought stress and dust for mite-prone roses.

* Reduce drought stress and dust for mite-prone roses.

* Protect predators such as lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid larvae, and predatory mites.

* Protect predators such as lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid larvae, and predatory mites.

=== Direct treatment notes ===

=== Direct treatment notes ===

* Insecticidal soap and horticultural oils can help with aphids and light mite infestations when thoroughly applied to the pest, especially undersides.

* Insecticidal soap and horticultural oils can help with aphids and light mite infestations when thoroughly applied to the pest, especially undersides.

* Oils and soaps can damage stressed plants, open flowers, or foliage in heat. Follow the label.

* Oils and soaps can damage stressed plants, open flowers, or foliage in heat. Follow the label.

* Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides when possible because they can kill predators and make mite outbreaks worse.

* Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides when possible because they can kill predators and make mite outbreaks worse.

* Use miticides only when correctly labelled and needed; many insecticides do not control mites well.

* Use miticides only when correctly labelled and needed; many insecticides do not control mites well.

=== Sources ===

=== Sources ===

* [Clemson Extension: Rose Insects and Related Pests](https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rose-insects-related-pests/)

* [Clemson Extension: Rose Insects and Related Pests](https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rose-insects-related-pests/)

* [Clemson Extension: Integrated Pest Management for Spider Mites](https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/integrated-pest-management-i-p-m-for-spider-mites/)

* [Clemson Extension: Integrated Pest Management for Spider Mites](https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/integrated-pest-management-i-p-m-for-spider-mites/)

* [UC IPM: Rose pests and disorders](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/rose/)

* [UC IPM: Rose pests and disorders](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/rose/)

* [RHS: Rose problems FAQ](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/roses/frequently-asked-questions)

* [RHS: Rose problems FAQ](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/roses/frequently-asked-questions)

[[Category:Pests]]

[[Category:Pests]]

[[Category:Care]]

[[Category:Care]]