Diptera: Cecidomyiidae

Identification
• The larva is white, legless, and up ¹/₁₆" long.
• The adult is a ¹/₂₀" long, reddish to yellow-brown fly.

Damage
• Larvae tunnel through developing leaf and rose buds, causing the buds to turn brown or black. (photo)
• This insect can stop growth and the flowering of roses in mid to late summer.

Management
• Hand-picking damaged buds and disposing of them can help reduce continuing infestations.
• Place plastic sheeting under infested roses to capture mature larvae and pupae dropping from the plant.
• To avoid insecticide resistance, which can build up rapidly, apply a rotating series of insecticides to foliage and soil under the plants.

 Other Information
• The rose midge is perhaps the most damaging pest of roses, but it is spotty in distribution. It is totally unknown in many gardens.
• The life cycle can be completed in as little as 2 weeks; many generations occur per growing season.