I had a magnifying glass and noticed aphids on my rose bush. I noticed the aphids mouths near tiny reddish dots lining the edges of the leaves, these dots have sticky secretions. So I'm wondering if rose plants provide a sugary treat from the leaves?

I think the secretions come from the aphids after they dine on the roses.

porkpal said:I think the secretions come from the aphids after they dine on the roses.

No these dots had liquid coming out. It's near microscopic you can't see it without something to magnify.

Keith ... it's from the aphids. People in the rose world call it aphid honey dew. Ants will actually farm the aphids on roses so that they can get the honey dew. It's a symbiotic relationship that most gardeners hate.

RoseBlush1 said:Keith ... it's from the aphids. People in the rose world call it aphid honey dew. Ants will actually farm the aphids on roses so that they can get the honey dew. It's a symbiotic relationship that most gardeners hate.

I have to post photos, I know aphids create honeydew, the aphids were eating the drops the Rose was secreting.

Sounds interesting.

Well, the aphids do feed on juices sucked out of plants... by all means post pictures if you can.

PP ... Duh ... Why didn't I think of that ???

Look at the tiny red dots, those are what i'm talking about. Thats aphids in the photo, they are tiny, so imagine how tiny these red dots are in person, almost microscopic!

Keith, for some reason the photo did not expand, but I do believe you.

I just never looked that closely. Thanks for sharing ...