Lady Banks Rose Defoliation: Caterpillars, Beetles, or Birds?

Two second-year Lady Banks roses are being completely stripped of leaves and flowers. Insecticidal soap helped initially, but a sudden total defoliation occurred despite treatment.

Likely Culprits

• Caterpillars can defoliate rapidly; soap kills only young stages, not adults.
• Japanese beetles feed on flowers and foliage, hiding in soil at evening.
• Birds sometimes flock to roses and consume both blooms and leaves.

Recommended Action

Inspect plants at different times (especially evening) to catch the pest in action. Ortho’s Bug B Gon or similar lower-toxicity insecticides can help. The fact that flowers are also eaten strongly points to beetles or birds rather than caterpillars alone. Identifying the specific attacker is key to effective control.