The life cycle and the behaviour of C. rhododactylus was studied on cultivated Rosa spp. close to Florence. The species has one generation per year and overwinters as first instar larvae. In the spring and early summer the larvae complete their developoment in 7-8 weeks feeding on the flower-buds where there is noticeable damage. Each larva can damage 3 or 4 buds before pupating on the lower surface of a leaf. From early June to early July the adults emerge and lay their eggs. The young larvae hatch about ten days later and spin a little cocoon with silk threads and plant matter in the branching of the stems or at the base of the thorns. Larvae spend the remaining summer, autumn and winter in the cocoon and begin feeding the following spring. Among the entomophagous insects, Hymenoptera Braconidae and Ichneumonidae have been reported.