[1][2] They have a world-wide distribution and infest rosebushes as the main host in spring and early summer, congregating on the tips of shoots and around new buds.

Later in the summer, winged forms move to other rose bushes, or to a limited number of secondary hosts, before returning to rosebushes to lay eggs in the autumn.

The eggs hatch in spring into wingless females which reproduce parthenogenetically, and large colonies can quickly develop, being mainly found on the tips of shoots and around flower buds.

This is because at this time of year, some winged females develop, which migrate to other rose bushes or to certain secondary hosts such as holly, teasel, valerian, Knautia and scabious.

[3][4] Rose aphids damage the aesthetic appearance of rosebushes by contorting the flowers and foliage, and by the sticky honeydew they produce, which often provides a surface on which sooty moulds develop.