Rose slugs are slimy, green worm-like insects that can grow up to half an inch long. They munch on the undersides of rose leaves, leaving behind a skeletonized, translucent appearance often referred to as "windowpane" damage.
Scientific name: Parasa (Latoia) lepida
Type: Chewing Pest
Target: leaves
Damage: Skeletonize the leaves
Identification:
- Up to ½ inch long when fully grown
- Soft-bodied with a slimy appearance
- Greenish-yellow in color with a black or orange head
Environmental favorable factors for pests/Diseases:
Temperature: Ideal temperatures for slug caterpillar activity and development are generally between 68-80°F (20-27°C).
Humidity: Slug caterpillars thrive in humid environments. High humidity levels (above 70%) favor egg-laying, hatching, and caterpillar survival.
Symptoms of Pest/Disease:
-
Windowpane Leaf Damage: The slug will eat away at the soft tissue between the upper and lower veins of the leaf, leaving a translucent, almost skeletal patch.
-
Lacy or Skeletonized Leaves: Heavy feeding by rose slugs can consume most of the leaf tissue, leaving behind only a lacy network of veins.
-
Presence of Slime: Slug-like in their movement, rose slugs may leave behind a slime trail as they move across the foliage.
-
Yellowing and Leaf Drop: As rose slugs consume the foliage, the entire rose bush may begin to look yellowed and weak. Heavy infestations can lead to defoliation.
Measures to control Pests/Diseases:
