Re: Insects

Jennifer,
there is an insect called a 'leaf cutter wasp' that cuts perfectly edged
semi circular bites as you describe. It does seem to favour roses but
usually doesn't strip the entire leaf It is usually tolerated by the
rose and I have a 'Peace' (which is a hybrid tea that has had this going
on for a ew years now Funnily enough a climbing rose i have is hardly
affected . I have never actually met the insect but apparently it can
overwinter even here in snowy zone 5 in little brown cocoons. can't tell
you how to get rid of it but if it is denuding your rose it could be
because being a completely shady garden you are not getting enough sun
on the rose.
This rose of mine is just at the perimeter of my shade/woodland garden
and I mulch it very heavily which seems to have prevented the leaf
cutter from going there.
Good luck, I don't know if really helped or not!!!
Gilly

>
> The holes are semi circular shaped, like a bite from cookie or so.  <g>
> They're on the edges of the leaf.  But on my rose bushes, it took all the
> leaves completely off and stripped the bush completely of leaves.  The insect
> did leave me one rose, though.  <groan>  What could this be?
>
> Jennifer Sheppard
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