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Rose Rosette Mite

Phyllocoptes fructiphilus[4]

The rose rosette mite is a microscopic eriophyid mite that lives on roses and spreads the virus that causes rose rosette disease.[1][2][3]

Group
Arachnid
Order
Sarcoptiformes
Family
Eriophyidae
Sources
4 cited
Updated
2026-10-16

No licensed photo of this species is available yet; the identification notes below describe what to look for.

On this page
  1. Identification
  2. Where it lives
  3. Biology
  4. Damage and signs
  5. Health risk
  6. Control
  7. Related profiles
  8. Common questions
  9. Sources

How to identify it

  • It is only about 140 to 170 microns long, amber to light yellow or cream, elongate and four-legged, and can't be seen without magnification.[1][2][3]
  • Mites gather in nooks such as bud scales and where leaves, buds and stems meet, where sprays don't reach them well.[1][2][3]

Where it lives

Found on most rose species, especially in the eastern half of the United States; very abundant on invasive multiflora rose.[1][2]

Biology and life cycle

Mated females overwinter under bark and old bud scales and move to new shoots in spring, laying about one egg a day for 30 days; there are multiple generations a year.[1]

Mites drift on the wind and travel on clothing, equipment and infested nursery plants.[1][3]

Damage and signs

  • Rose rosette disease causes red new growth, witches' brooms, excessive soft thorns, distorted leaves and aborted or deformed flowers, and kills plants, often within a couple of years.[1][2][3]
  • The virus affects only roses and has no cure once a plant is infected; it can also spread through grafting and unsanitized pruners.[2][3]
  • Symptoms can look like herbicide injury, so early diagnosis is tricky.[3]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Prevention

Buy symptom-free roses, space plants so they don't touch, and remove wild multiflora roses within 100 yards when possible.[3]

Sanitation

Dig out infected roses, roots and all, bag the material, and disinfect pruners before using them on other roses.[3]

Common questions

Why are my Knockout roses growing red witches' brooms?
Rose rosette disease, spread by this mite, is a likely cause.[1][3]
Can rose rosette disease be cured?
No; infected roses should be removed.[2][3]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS, Featured Creatures), “Eriophyid Mite Vector of Rose Rosette Disease, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus (EENY-558).” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN999 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  2. University of Maryland Extension (Home and Garden Information Center), “Rose Rosette Disease.” extension.umd.edu/resource/rose-rosette-disease (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center, “Rose Rosette Disease: Frequently Asked Questions and How to Identify It.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rose-rosette-disease-frequently-asked-questions-how-to-identify-it/ (accessed 2026-10-16)
  4. iNaturalist, “Phyllocoptes fructiphilus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/495916 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.