The Perth rose story behind this topic was published on 14 May 2021; it is not evidence of a current Perth-wide outbreak. Chilli thrips can scar and distort roses, but similar symptoms have other causes. Check plants for the insects before choosing a response, then monitor and manage affected growth with care for beneficial insects and pollinators.
What chilli thrips damage can look like
In her rose advice, horticulturist Sabrina Hahn identifies the pest as chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis). The 2021 PerthNow report described the insect as about 2 millimetres long and pale or translucent, making it difficult to distinguish from other thrips without close inspection.
Look for silvering or bronzing, curled, wrinkled or distorted leaves, brown scarring along leaf veins or on stems, and buds or flowers that are damaged or undersized. These signs raise suspicion but do not confirm chilli thrips on their own.
How to inspect a rose for thrips
- Choose suspect leaves, buds or flowers and tap them over a sheet of plain white paper.
- Look for tiny moving insects on the paper. A hand lens can make them easier to see.
- Check several parts of the plant and repeat inspections over time. Visible damage alone is not enough to identify the pest reliably.
Why management takes persistence
Hahn’s 2022 account describes eggs in foliage, feeding early stages on foliage or buds, and prepupal and pupal stages in the ground or leaf litter before winged adults emerge. She reports an approximately 15-day life cycle, with development able to speed up in warm conditions. The article also reports up to 40 eggs per female over its lifetime and up to 18 generations in a year in warm temperatures; these are figures reported by Hahn, not independently measured here.
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Because some stages occur off the plant, attention to fallen leaves and nearby litter can be part of management. Hahn’s article discusses removing badly affected growth, collecting fallen leaves, bagging prunings and cleaning tools between roses. Pruning advice should be adapted to conditions: the same article relays nursery operator Rob Melville’s caution against hard pruning in warmer months.
Choose an approach suited to the infestation
| Management emphasis | What it involves | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Plant care and natural predators | Melville’s nursery experience, as reported by Hahn, favored daily overhead watering and allowing predatory insects to build up rather than continued pesticide use. | This is attributed nursery experience, not a controlled finding that the approach works best in every garden. Consider local conditions and avoid hard pruning in warmer months as Melville advised. |
| Pruning, cleanup and targeted treatment | Hahn’s article discusses pruning badly affected growth, removing fallen leaves, bagging prunings, cleaning tools and repeated applications. The Rose Society of Western Australia describes an integrated approach that includes monitoring, plant care, attention to soil stages and timely targeted treatments. | The right steps depend on the plant and situation; the sources do not establish one universal treatment schedule or guaranteed cure. |
A later local example is the Shire of Boddington’s December 2025 notice, which says affected public rose bushes were pruned and given targeted treatments. That describes work on public plantings, not a prescription for every home garden or proof of current Perth-wide prevalence. See the Shire notice.
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Before spraying, check for beneficial insects and pollinators. Hahn warns that some systemic insecticides containing imidacloprid can harm bees and other insects that feed on plant sap or collect pollen. Product names and ingredients mentioned in her article should not be treated as blanket recommendations: confirm that a product is currently registered for the intended use in Australia, read and follow its current label, and seek current regional advice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Set realistic expectations
The Rose Society of Western Australia says there is currently no eradication method and recommends integrated control. Regular inspection and considered management can help address damage, but neither the historical Perth report nor the cited guidance promises eradication or recovery of every rose. Use current local advice to make decisions about plants in your area rather than inferring present infestation levels from a 2021 news story.
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