Question
I have some black, white spotted flying insects which attack my white roses and I can't find anything to prevent them arriving each spring (May). They feed on the pollen at the centre of the rose and completely disfigure the flower. Each morning I check the open roses and there they are again sometimes many in one flower. I live in Provence France where roses are usually very reliable. Can you identify this insect and advise me on how I can elimate them from my garden please.

Answer
Because there are many insects which could fit your description I would only be taking a guess at trying to identify them. It is also impossible to eliminate any insect from the garden as this is part of their eating routine. However I can tell you that any insect that eats part of the rose bush will only be killed if you use a systemic insecticide. A systemic one gets right into the sap of the rose and when a bug bites any part, the poison kills it. Also insects can go in stages such as one year there are numerous ones of them and then the next year not nearly as many. If other gardeners are also getting the same insects then they are normal to your part of the country. Sometimes if you can get up early in the morning, many flying bugs are sleeping and you can actually hand pick them off. If you do use an insecticide the make sure you also spray around the base of the rose bush as that is where many times they will hide or sleep. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.