Macrosiphum rosae

Linnaeus, 1758

Rose Aphid

Macrosiphum rosae, the rose , is a pest of cultivated roses. Wingless are spindle-shaped, 1.7–3.6 mm long, and variable in color from green to pink to reddish-brown. The is distinguished from similar aphids by its long, tapered, black siphunculi. It exhibits complex strategies including both holocyclic (sexual) and anholocyclic () depending on climate. In temperate regions, it alternates between rose primary and secondary hosts such as teasel and valerian; in milder climates like South Australia and Iran, populations remain anholocyclic on roses year-round. The species is a significant horticultural pest causing aesthetic damage through flower and foliage distortion, honeydew production, and development.

Macrosiphum rosae by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Macrosiphum rosae by (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Anderson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Macrosiphum rosae: /ˌmæ.kroʊˈsaɪ.fəm ˈroʊ.zi/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the rose-grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum) by its black siphunculi versus pale siphunculi in the latter. Color is not diagnostic as both green and pink forms occur. On roses, found concentrated on shoot tips and new buds rather than distributed across foliage. Winged forms show characteristic black lateral abdominal markings.

Images

Habitat

Primary is cultivated rose gardens and rosebushes. In spring and early summer, colonies congregate on shoot tips and around new flower buds. Secondary plants include teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), valerian, holly, Knautia, and scabious. thrive in temperate climates with seasonal flushes of rose growth.

Distribution

distribution throughout temperate regions worldwide. Documented in Europe, North America, South Australia, Iran, and India (Doon Valley, Uttarakhand). Specific records from Azores islands (Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, São Miguel).

Seasonality

In northern hemisphere temperate regions: peak in June and July coinciding with rose flowering; laid in autumn; as eggs or, in mild winters, as . In South Australia: year-round activity with three population peaks in spring-summer corresponding to rose growth flushes. In mild climates like Isfahan, Iran: anholocyclic with continuous parthenogenetic , high densities in April–May and November.

Diet

Phloem sap feeder; feeds primarily on young leaves and developing flower buds of roses. Causes direct damage through sap removal and indirect damage via honeydew production.

Host Associations

Rosa species - primary Main for spring and early summer colonies; hybrid tea roses particularly favored
Dipsacus fullonum (teasel) - secondary Summer destination in some
Valeriana species - secondary Summer
Ilex species (holly) - secondary Documented secondary
Knautia species - secondary Summer
Scabiosa species - secondary Summer

Life Cycle

Complex with geographic variation. In temperate holocyclic : hatch in spring into wingless parthenogenetic females; multiple parthenogenetic produce large colonies; winged females develop in summer and migrate to secondary or other roses; winged males produced in autumn; return to roses for and egg-laying. In anholocyclic populations (South Australia, Iran): reproduces parthenogenetically and viviparously year-round without sexual phase or egg stage. Colony fate influenced by temperature, rainfall, host plant quality duration, and crowding-induced production.

Behavior

Colony-forming on shoot tips and buds; by , dropping from plants, and winged . Exhibits walking with inter-individual variation. Crowding induces production of winged forms for dispersal. Poorly melanized individuals potentially less protected against UV radiation. UV-deficient environments reduce and ability.

Ecological Role

Herbivore and agricultural pest; serves as prey for diverse natural enemy including lady beetles (Coccinellidae), flower flies (Syrphidae), lacewings (Chrysopidae), predatory (Anthocoridae, Miridae), soldier beetles (Cantharidae), and (Braconidae). Acts as for ectoparasitic mites (Erythraeidae). Honeydew production supports growth and attracts tending ants.

Human Relevance

Major pest of ornamental roses causing aesthetic damage through flower and foliage distortion, honeydew soiling, and development. Subject of research including , UV-C irradiation treatments, and . Natural enemies commercially available for biocontrol release in gardens and greenhouses.

Similar Taxa

Metopolophium dirhodumAlso occurs on roses; distinguished by pale siphunculi versus black in M. rosae
Macrosiphum euphorbiaeCongeneric potato aphid; similar but different preferences

More Details

Natural Enemies

Documented include four Coccinellidae , three Syrphidae species, two Chamaemyiidae species, one Chrysopidae species, multiple Anthocoridae and Miridae species, and one Cantharidae species. include four Braconidae species. Erythraeidae mites parasitize externally.

Phototoxicity Research

Studies in Doon Valley, India found M. rosae less sensitive than mustard (Lipaphis erysimi) to UV-B radiation combined with photosensitizers (psoralene, α-terthienyl), with up to 22% mortality under high UV-B + psoralene treatment.

IPM Applications

Neem-based products (NeemAzal-T/S) show 40% efficacy with significant impact on nymph survival and development delay, but no rapid knock-down effect on . UV-C irradiation of rose plants induces resistance and reduces by up to 58% without killing adults directly.