Cicadas are not good for our roses. We reveal how to recognize the pests and how to combat rosehoppers naturally.
Are you wondering why some of your rose petals show an unusual pattern of small, light spots that eventually merge into white areas? Planthoppers (Edwardsiana rosae) leave such patterns when infesting roses. We'll show you how to recognize an infestation and fight it off 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. In Central Europe, the rosehopper goes through two generations with the following sequence:
| October of previous year | April | May/June | June | August | October | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| development state | Eggs | larva | Adult animals sometimes migrate | Adults lay eggs | larva | Adults Lay eggs Overwinter |
| Generation | Generation 1 | Generation 1 | Generation 1 | Generation 2 | Generation 2 | Generation 2 |
Infestation with spider mites (Tetranychidae) can cause similar symptoms, but the webs typical of spider mites are absent in a cicada infestation. In addition, the adult cicadas jump away when they touch the affected leaf,which also represents a good differentiation from a spider mite infestation. The skins of the cicada larvae on the underside of the leaf also help to identify a cicada infestation.
If the infestation is severe, the leaves dry up and fall off early. Planthoppers appear mainly in sunny and dry locations from May.
Tip: If you have climbing roses in your garden in addition to hybrid teas, check the climbing roses first and foremost. An infestation by the rosehopper can usually be seen first on the climbing rose.
How to combat rosehoppers naturally
Often 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 with rosehoppers, a nettle decoction can be used, the preparation of which we explain in our article on home remedies for aphids.
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 highly 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 FreeNeem is mixed with water to create an oil-water suspension. This can then be sprayed onto the affected rose with a spray bottle. Just 0.3 milliliters of Plantura organic pest-free neem mixed with 200 milliliters of water are 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. You will find detailed instructions on how to use Plantura Organic Neem Pest Free on the packaging.
Tip: Neem oil is also great for aphid infestations on roses.
To prevent infestation in the future, we recommend that you ensure your roses have a balanced supply of nutrients in order to optimally maintain their resistance to pests. Special rose fertilizer - such as 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. You can also learn how to cut roses from us.
Summary: Combat Planthoppers Naturally
- Nettle broth helps with a mild infestation
- Organic pesticides such as neem preparations are recommended for heavy infestations
- Prevention through good nutrient supply and pruning in spring
With these tips, you have the best prerequisites for combating the planthopper naturally. In our special article on roses you will find more exciting tips for caring for your roses. This way you can enjoy your roses in full bloom.