spiky green balls on rose bush, leaf and stem - Ask Extension
What are these small balls, usually in clusters? They are about the size of a green pea (a large one), they are light green with spikes protruding fro...
Knowledgebase
spiky green balls on rose bush, leaf and stem #136087
Asked June 22, 2013, 3:07 PM EDT
What are these small balls, usually in clusters? They are about the size of a green pea (a large one), they are light green with spikes protruding from the ball. When sliced open a small white worm is seen squiggling inside. One worm per ball. They appeared on only one rose bush, I have never seen them before in the 20 years I have had this bush. Please help! Will they damage/destroy the bush?
See attached photos. Thanks!
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for your question and the great pictures.
What you have are galls from gall wasps. The good news is that galls rarely cause serious damage. Gall wasps are the single largest group of gall-making Insects. Gall wasps produce a wide range of galls from woody, rounded galls on stems or leaves to woolly or mossy galls. Essentially all insect galls found on oak or roses are produced by gall wasps.I am including a link from Colorado State University that will put your mind at ease. Please read the link and let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks again for the awesome pictures. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05557.html
What you have are galls from gall wasps. The good news is that galls rarely cause serious damage. Gall wasps are the single largest group of gall-making Insects. Gall wasps produce a wide range of galls from woody, rounded galls on stems or leaves to woolly or mossy galls. Essentially all insect galls found on oak or roses are produced by gall wasps.I am including a link from Colorado State University that will put your mind at ease. Please read the link and let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks again for the awesome pictures. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05557.html
