Integrated Pest Management
Rose Mosaic
Prunus necrotic ring spot virus; Apple mosaic virus
![rose mosaic](/planthealth/ipm/images/ornamental-pest-guide/diseases/crop_rose-mosaic_penn-state-dept-of-plant-pathology-and-environmental-microbiology-archives_bugwood.jpg)
Rose mosaic (Penn State Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology Archives, Bugwood.org)
![rose mosaic](/planthealth/ipm/images/ornamental-pest-guide/diseases/rose-mosaic_mary-ann-hansen_virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university_bugwood.jpg)
Rose mosaic symptom (Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org)
Hosts, Symptoms & Signs
- caused by a complex of several viruses
- roses are the host
- spread by aphids
- leaves show a yellow irregular zigzag pattern
Disease Cycle
- aphids transmit the virus to roses while feeding on the plants
- symptoms develop about a week after infection
- aphids must feed on an infected plant to be able to transmit the virus again
IPM Recommendations
- The virus is primarily an aesthetic issue; tolerate leaf discoloration.
- Control with insecticides is very difficult. Aphids transmit viruses before death from insecticides occurs.
- Apply an insecticide (insecticidal soap; pyrethroid; systemic neonicitinoid) to reduce secondary spread to neighboring plants.