Maybe a Metcalfa pruinosa?

Here is a link that might be useful: white fluffy jumper - metcalfa pruinosa

Actually the white stuff won't peel off. It is stuck, more hardy than a fungal colony....

I found something that looks similar, though I'm thinking that the "lady beetle" is a different species than the "lady bugs" I see around here.

http://ns.umich.edu/Releases/2012/Aug12/ants.html

Looking further, I came upon this:

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/07/18/dusky-lady-beetle-larvae-feeding-on-aphids/

:-)

~Christopher

Hello Christopher. Thanks for the post. They do look like the ones on my rose stem. I might hv better chances of getting something to get rid of them...Daughter is going to be thrilled :)

Thanks a lot!
Madhu.

If they are what my links showed, then I don't think you want to get rid of them, being as they feed on aphids. If it was me, I'd just leave it alone until the plant seemed to be showing signs of harm or damage if I wasn't sure what they are. BTW, do they ever move?

:-)

~Christopher