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Help! Something is biting a hole in the base of the rose buds and or stem (usually still green) and causing them to die/drop off.  I have a really good Pest and Disease book but nothing about this problem.  Any ideas out there and what I can do about it?  many thanks

Lots of info here on looking after roses, look for the Rose budworm

http://www.rosecare.com/pests.html

Hmm..there is number of different insects..not specific to rose..that can do that..but the thing is that there is not much that you can do.
Main thing that I would do..other than ingnore the damage..is to pick any buds off that are effected. If it is insect that is looking overwintering place then you don't give a chance the problem repeating next year.
Without actually seing the biting/hole it is difficult to say what it might be..could be caterpillars, wasps, mice, earwicks, birds, some sort of beetles....