Mite Vector of Rose Rosette Virus

UGA Extension contacts:
William Hudson, Svoboda Pennisi, and Shimat Joseph

Rose rosette virus vectored by eriophyid mites can cause major problems for nurseries, landscapers, and gardeners alike. The spread of this mite and virus can cause serious damage to plants, decreasing profits for nurseries and landscapers. The virus causes the plants to become undesirable and will eventually result in the death of the plant, which affects all segments of the rose industry as well as rosarians and home gardeners. RRD is caused by the rose rosette virus (Emaravirus) that affects multiflora and ornamental roses. This virus is causing devastation to roses in several regions of North America, but it is particularly problematic in the eastern half of the continent. It has been estimated that about 93% of rose plants that are susceptible to this disease have the potential to be killed in a matter of decades.

The symptoms of disease on ornamental roses are a yellow mosaic pattern appearing on leaves, increased thorniness, abnormally shaped foliage and early production of lateral buds that make up the witches’ broom. The symptoms differ slightly in multiflora roses. These roses still get witches broom and misshapen foliage. Unlike the ornamentals, they get a reddish-purple vein mosaic pattern on their leaves and produce bright-red foliage and lateral shoots. The disease eventually results in death of the infected plant.

Rose rosette virus vectored by eriophyid mites can cause major problems for nurseries, landscapers, and gardeners alike. The spread of this mite and virus can cause serious damage to plants, decreasing profits for nurseries and landscapers. The virus causes the plants to become undesirable and will eventually result in the death of the plant, which affects all segments of the rose industry as well as rosarians and home gardeners. RRD is caused by the rose rosette virus (Emaravirus) that affects multiflora and ornamental roses. This virus is causing devastation to roses in several regions of North America, but it is particularly problematic in the eastern half of the continent. It has been estimated that about 93% of rose plants that are susceptible to this disease have the potential to be killed in a matter of decades.

The symptoms of disease on ornamental roses are a yellow mosaic pattern appearing on leaves, increased thorniness, abnormally shaped foliage and early production of lateral buds that make up the witches’ broom. The symptoms differ slightly in multiflora roses. These roses still get witches broom and misshapen foliage. Unlike the ornamentals, they get a reddish-purple vein mosaic pattern on their leaves and produce bright-red foliage and lateral shoots. The disease eventually results in death of the infected plant.

Published by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information or guidance, contact your local Extension office.

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status, and is an Equal Opportunity Institution.