So conflicted!

[MrsWembley]

So I've just been to check on my new roses, only planted this last winter and had my first flowers! Noticed one had some leaves nibbled away and thought, oh no, what do I have to deal with here...

Caterpillars! So I can't kill them; obviously, they are far more important than my roses. Aren't they?

Unless they are of some species that is incredibly common?

Photo attached...

I had these! Can't give any actual advice I'm afraid since I know nothing, but I got around not wanting to kill them by sniping off the affected branches (only a few small ones thankfully) and putting them in the compost pile.. will go out later and check how the bush is getting on..

They are the larvae of Rose sawfly, so don't have any guilt about massacring them.

Thank-you!!!

Thank goodness for this thread! I have been lovingly tending the ones in my garden, (3 separate families) to the point actually counting them, and feeling sad if one goes missing! I thought they were cabbage white caterpillars!

Just to check, before I commit genocide, the pic I've attached is a sawfly lava isn't it?

Definitely, McFugget.

They've gone to larvae heaven now. I found loads of the telltale splits along the rose stems as well.