@compost if the holes in the rose leaves were like someone had cut a circle out of them, then congratulations- you’ve got leafcutter bees using them.
If not and you can see the caterpillars- they need to eat too.
As someone said, if nothing is eating plants in your garden, it is not part of the ecosystem.
If they are doing only a bit of damage the roses will be ok. If it’s lots, hopefully whatever eats the caterpillars will be along soon.
Thank you so much, I am still trying to identify what eats my roses and I do not want to apply any fix before I am sure.
Yes, the holes on the leaves are like tiny circles on a lot of them, because we had a lot of strong rain going on I thought it was just the rain damaging the leaves.
@compost caterpillars usually stay on whatever they are eating - so if it was that, I would expect to see them on the rose leaves. Usually near the cut edges.
If it is the leaf cutter bees- they take circles of leaf or petals to make a cocoon(?) for their larvae to develop in.
Maybe they have a nest site nearby, that would be exciting!
@Hellybootwader my partner says she has seen the caterpillars but the damage on the leaves does not look like it and I have not seen any. I am deadheading the roses at least two times a week.
@compost@gardening not a rose expert but I doubt it. Caterpillars gonna caterpillar. If you are deadheading it means they didn't get all the buds which is great. Some really like to burrow in and eat the buds. Be dilligent in picking them off and you will get more flowers.
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