The rose midge itself is rarely observed.
Midge damage is more apparent.
Larvae feeding within emerging leaf tips and buds cause damage that results in the new plant tissue withering and turning black. An infestation of midges can cause complete failure of a bloom cycle, leaving a rose bed filled with what look like blind shoots. Generally, all roses within a bed will be infected. Rich Baer has pointed out that rose midge tends to become a problem primarily in large rose gardens. Washington Park has experienced problems as has the Centennial Garden in Olympia.