Roses are grown year-round in greenhouses and nurseries, exposing them to a variety of seasonal challenges like mites, leaf-feeding beetles, thrips and more. Maintaining crop quality and achieving production goals depends on a strong agronomic program, which serves as the foundation for preventing insect outbreaks and promoting healthy, vibrant roses.

Common Threats

Mites

Spider mites on rose, Nancy Rechcigl, 2022

Mites, including two-spotted spider mites, are common spring pests that become active as temperatures rise. Two-spotted spider mites typically feed on the undersides of leaves, while broad mites target young, developing tissue as it unfolds. 

Early symptoms of two-spotted spider mite damage often appear as white, speckled stippling on upper foliage. Since mite populations can overlap across multiple generations and life stages, they are especially challenging to control once established and may require multiple targeted treatments.

Beetles
Leaf-feeding beetles, including Japanese beetles and red-headed flea beetles, are voracious eaters, emerging as spring transitions to summer. These insect pests feed on foliage and flowers, resulting in plants that are difficult to market. Beetles are a threat to over 300 plant species, creating a “skeletonized” appearance by chewing holes in leaves.

Thrips
Thrips feed on pollen, flower petals and tender plant tissue, causing leaf stippling, scarring and distortion. Due to their short life cycles and ability to hide within plant material, thrips can be difficult to manage once populations are established.

Aphids
Aphids have piercing-sucking mouthparts that penetrate the phloem and extract plant sap, reducing overall plant vigor. Both adults and nymphs contribute to damage, which may include reduced leaf expansion, leaf discoloration or silvering, leaf drop and honeydew secretions that can lead to black sooty mold on leaf surfaces.

Adopt a Strong Agronomic Program

Whether roses are grown in greenhouses or nurseries, consistent scouting within the canopy and on leaf undersides enables early detection of pests before they impact crop quality. Additionally, agronomic programs like the Rose Agronomic Program provide a strategic framework for success, offering guidance on product rotation to support healthy, resilient roses in any production environment.

To help growers tackle the toughest pest opponents, Vykenda^® insecticide/miticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN^® technology, introduces a novel class of chemistry (IRAC Group 30) for ornamental growers to control mites, leaf-feeding beetles, thrips and more. With no known resistance or cross-resistance to other insecticides, Vykenda is a strong rotation partner with Mainspring^® GNL insecticide (IRAC Group 28), which is proven to control sucking pests such as whiteflies and aphids. Rotating Vykenda with Mainspring GNL gives growers a comprehensive solution for managing nearly all common greenhouse insects.

For more information and trial data, visit GreenCastOnline.com/Vykenda.



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