Something is eating my peonies and roses

[NetZeroZealot]

The leaves look as if they have been nibbled around the edge. Any idea what could be causing this? And what I can do about it?

The roses are generally looking very unhealthy.

Possibly vine weevils, the flightless adults nibble the edges of the leaves. Their larvae, white/cream coloured grubs live in the soil and eat the plants roots. I think there is a nematode you can buy to control them. Perhaps turn out one of the smaller pots and have a look or leave a sticky trap overnight. I'm assuming pots but I think they can affect plants in the ground to.

Thanks, they are in the ground, not in pots. and have been in there for about 15 years so I can't really dig them up to have a look.

I wondered if it was vine weevils too.

Leaf cutter bees are an alternative

It’s not the same thing IMO. The rose has caterpillars, turn over a tender leaf and you will see some, very small, well camouflaged ( the roses also have black spot).
The peonies are just turning early this year, nothing wrong with them, mine and my neighbours are all the same.

No caterpillars.

The peonies are not just turning, they have notches taken out of the leaves. Other peony plants in a different part of the garden don't have this.

How can I tell if it is vine weevil or leaf cutter bees?

Leaf cutter bees cut much larger circles. They use them to line their nest holes. I'll try to find a picture.

Here you go and a short from YouTube showing one in action.

https://youtube.com/shorts/OL5HwoWU_qY?si=MwrNmra6pPFGt75n

Thank you. I fear it must be vine weevil then. I keep noticing it in other parts of the garden too.

That's going to be an expensive dose of nematodes then.

Put a pit trap (empty, clean and dry marg tub sunk in the soil with a cover) or a sticky trap (which could be traumatising if you catch something nice) overnight at the base of the most affected plant. Obviously, a gap between tub and cover. Perhaps put a scant layer of dry leaves in the bottom. Check in the morning and see what (if anything) you've caught.

Nematodes can be quite species specific, it would be annoying to spend the money and then discover it's something else.

I've been out with a torch & found an adult vine weevil on another plant, some green bug and tiny caterpillars on the rose leaves!
Fuckers.
What can I do about the caterpillars?

Caterpillars, I'd just pick them off, or blast them off with a hose. Or, if it's not too bad, leave them for the birds.

That leaf damage is unmistakable and definitely vine weevil. It looks like someone has gone over the plant with the old clippers they used to use on train and bus tickets.

Leaf cutter bees take out semi-circular or curved pieces.