Curly Rose Slugs

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Posted by hartwood 7a VA (My Page) on

Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 9:02

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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RE: Curly Rose Slugs

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Posted by roseseek z 10, SoCal (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 11:06

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

RE: Curly Rose Slugs

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Posted by jerijen Sunset Z24 (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 14:48

Well, what crummy little critters! I hope we don't have these in CA!!

Jeri

RE: Curly Rose Slugs

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Posted by ingrid_vc Z10 SoCal (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 16:54

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

RE: Curly Rose Slugs

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Posted by AquaEyes 7 New Brunswick, NJ (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 18:34

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

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Posted by zjw727 Oregon Coast 8b (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 19:03

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!

RE: Curly Rose Slugs

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Posted by campanula UK Cambridge (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 19:07

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!

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Posted by catsrose VA 6 (My Page) on
Sun, Sep 8, 13 at 17:48

I have met them. Tho I refuse to participate in chemical warfare, nevertheless, I have drawn my red line. Squish 'em dead!

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Posted by zeffyrose_pa6b7 6b7 (My Page) on
Sun, Sep 8, 13 at 21:32

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

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Posted by amelie325 6b (My Page) on
Mon, Sep 9, 13 at 0:56

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.

RE: Curly Rose Slugs

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Posted by meredith_e 7B Piedmont NC (My Page) on
Tue, Sep 10, 13 at 18:40

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

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