Description

• Rose aphid adults grow to 1/16 inch long. They may be either pink or green. Their larvae, which are often described as looking like tiny alligators, are dark blue-black. Find aphids gathered just below flower buds and under young, tender leaves.
  
  

Damage

• Rose aphids don't spread diseases or cause permanent damage, but they cause unsightly damage to foliage and flowers. Aphids feed by sucking sap from foliage and flowers, leaving spots and distorted leaves and petals. As they feed they deposit a sticky substance called honeydew. Honeydew is host to the sooty mold fungus which turns the deposits black.
  
  

Controls

• The most effective aphid controls are ladybugs and lacewings. Attract ladybugs to the garden by planting bee balm, dill, coreopsis, yarrow, cosmos or scented geranium. A number of insecticides are effective against aphids, but they are also effective against ladybugs and lacewings. Use dormant oil spray in early spring to smother aphids. If the insects are still a problem later in the year, use insecticidal soap, which doesn't harm beneficial insects and plants.