Growing Roses Growing Roses in Iowa Insects. Among the insects that attack roses, aphids are the major problem. The nymphs may differ in color from the wingless adults.
Damage caused by aphids is the result of their sucking feeding.
The result of the damage is loss of plant vigor and sometimes stunting and deforming buds and flowers, and curling or puckering of leaves. One of the more serious problems associated with the aphid is its role as a vector for mosaic and other virus diseases. Aphids are easily controlled with several contact and stomach poison insecticides. Adapted from a Kansas State University Extension publication, MF-799, Growing Roses, revised April 1993.