Cicadas do not bode well for our roses. We reveal how to recognize the pests and how to fight rosehoppers naturally.
Are you wondering why some of your rose petals show an unusual pattern of small, light spots that eventually coalesce into white areas? planthoppers (Edwardsiana rosae) leave such patterns when infesting roses. We will show you how to recognize an infestation and fight it naturally.
How to recognize cicadas on roses
The planthopper itself is an elongated insect about three millimeters in size, which is white to yellowish-green in color. Planthoppers usually sit on the underside of the leaf and are therefore difficult to see. They pierce individual cells of the leaves and suck them out. These sucked out cells fill with air and then appear white on the leaf surface. Therefore, many small white spots appear on the upper side of rose petals affected by the rosehopper. This is the best way to recognize cicadas on roses. The sharp edges of these small points or areas are characteristic. Initially, the spots are mostly seen on the leaf veins and then spread across the leaf. The rosehopper goes through two generations in Central Europe with the following sequence:
| October of the previous year | April | May June | June | August | October | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| development Status |
eggs | larva | Adult animals sometimes migrate away | Adult animals lay eggs | larva | adult animals lay eggs to over winter |
| generation | generation 1 | generation 1 | generation 1 | generation 2 | generation 2 | generation 2 |
An infestation of spider mites (Tetranychidae) can cause similar symptoms, but the webs typical of spider mites are missing in a cicada infestation. In addition, the adult cicadas jump away when they touch the infested leaf, which is also a good way to distinguish it from a spider mite infestation. Larvae skins of the cicada larvae on the underside of the leaf also help to recognize a cicada infestation.
If the infestation is severe, the leaves will dry up and fall off prematurely. Planthoppers appear mainly in sunny and dry locations from May onwards.
tip: If you have climbing roses in your garden in addition to hybrid teas, be sure to check the climbing roses first. An infestation by the rosehopper can usually be seen first on the climbing rose.
This is how you can fight rosehoppers naturally
Frequently, an infestation by the planthopper goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, the animal transmits the rose mosaic virus by sucking on various plants. This virus will also weaken your rose after the cicada is gone, so controlling the planthopper is recommended. In the case of a slight infestation by rosehoppers, a stinging nettle decoction can be used, the preparation of which is explained in our article Home remedies for aphids explain.
If the nettle broth didn't help, you should fight the infestation more effectively. Synthetic and biological pesticides are commercially available for this purpose. Synthetic drugs use different active ingredients: acetamiprid, fenpyroximate and flupyradifuron for example. It is not uncommon for them to be offered in conjunction with oils such as rapeseed oil in order to further improve the effect. Some bioremedies are based on pyrethrins. These are isolated from chrysanthemums, but their origin says nothing about their harmfulness: pyrethrins are extremely toxic for beneficial and aquatic organisms. In order to protect beneficial insects and the environment from synthetic and natural toxins, we recommend that you use gentler means to combat rosehoppers in your home garden.
Neem-based preparations are particularly effective and environmentally friendly in combating rosehoppers. Neem supplements are made from the seeds of the neem tree and the active ingredient azadirachtin is ingested by the cicadas as they suckle. The small insects lose their appetite within a few hours. In addition, the development of the larvae is disturbed, which is why ultimately all generations of cicadas on the plant are damaged and die. The Plantura Organic Pest Free Neem uses the active ingredient azadirachtin from the neem tree and enables you to effectively combat rosehoppers in the most gentle way possible.
Plantura organic pest-free neem is mixed with water to create an oil-water suspension. This can then be sprayed onto the affected rose with a spray bottle. Already 0.3 milliliters Plantura Organic Pest Free Neem mixed with 200 milliliters of water is sufficient to treat one square meter. Since the cicadas sit on the underside of the leaves, you should make sure to wet the leaves from below as well. Nevertheless, the cicadas are often difficult to hit with a spray bottle. Plantura organic pest-free neem is absorbed by the plant and distributed systemically in all organs. So you can also fight hidden cicadas. On the other hand, Plantura organic pest-free neem is not dangerous for bees that are attracted by the flowers of the roses. On the Plantura organic pest-free neem package you will find precise instructions on how to use it.
tip: Neem oil also works excellently on an infestation Aphids on roses.
In order to prevent infestation in the future, we recommend that you ensure that your roses have a balanced supply of nutrients in order to optimally maintain their resistance to pests. Special rose fertilizer - like our Plantura Organic rose fertilizer – helps you to optimally care for your roses. In addition, pruning the rose in spring reduces the number of eggs that have overwintered in the bark and also helps you preventively. That too proper pruning of roses you can learn from us.
Summary: Fight planthoppers naturally
- Nettle broth helps with a light infestation
- Biological pesticides such as neem preparations are recommended for severe infestations
- Prevention through good nutrient supply and pruning in spring
With these tips you have the best prerequisites for fighting the planthopper naturally. In our special article on roses you will find more exciting tips for your caring for roses. This way you can enjoy your roses in full bloom.
