The advantage to these soil applied products is that they give season-long control of lace bugs. If granular products are used, the shrubs are then watered to enhance the uptake of the product. The amount to apply is based upon the height of the shrubs. The granular products are sprinkled around the base of the shrubs, and the concentrates are diluted with water and then poured around the base of the shrubs. These products are available as either granules or concentrates. Control of second (July to August) and later generations (September to October) may be necessary.Īs an alternative to spraying the azaleas, products containing either imidacloprid or dinotefuran may be used as a soil application around the base of the azaleas. Good control of the first generation in March to May will greatly reduce problems later in the season. A second application in seven to ten days may be needed to control newly hatched lace bugs. Azaleas should be sprayed when the first lace bugs appear. The other insecticides are contact insecticides, and sprays need to be directed onto the lower surface of the foliage to be effective. Acephate may give the best control, as this insecticide is a foliar systemic that will move through the leaves to kill the lace bugs on the undersides of the leaves. For adult lace bugs, recommended spray insecticides include acephate, bifenthrin, lambda cyhalothrin, malathion, and cyfluthrin. Insecticidal soaps may give some control of young lace bugs, and complete coverage of all leaf surfaces is essential. However, when lace bug populations get out of hand, using chemical controls is necessary. These include lacewings, assassin bugs, spiders and predaceous mites. Lace bugs have several natural enemies that feed on them. The following azalea cultivars have resistance to azalea lace bug: ‘Dawn,’ ‘Pink Star,’ ‘Ereka,’ ‘Cavalier,’ ‘Pink Fancy,’ ‘Dram,’ ‘Seigei,’ ‘Macrantha,’ ‘Salmon Pink,’ ‘Elsie Lee,’ ‘Red Wing,’ Sunglow’ and ‘Marilee.’ There are usually three or more generations of this pest in South Carolina each year.Ĭontrol: Control of this pest on azalea begins with the planting of resistant varieties. This, along with their droppings, gives the underside of the leaves a “fly-specked” appearance. Adult female lace bugs insert their eggs into the leaf tissue and then cover them with a dark splotch of a varnish-like material to seal the egg into the leaf. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Lace bugs overwinter (survive the winter) as eggs. Old lace bug injury with healthy new growth. Black shiny bits of insect waste and cast off skins from immature forms also can be found on the undersides of leaves. As a result of their feeding on the underside of the leaf, most people do not see lace bugs until damage is visible. This early leaf drop can make the azalea susceptible to some of the dieback diseases. When damage is severe enough, the whole leaf appears white and drops early. As a result of the feeding damage, leaves develop pale colored speckling (stippling) on their upper surfaces, giving leaves a grayish cast. The nymphs have a number of spines on their back.īoth adults and nymphs have needle-like mouthparts that they use to suck plant sap from the leaf’s underside. The immature forms, called nymphs, are colorless initially but turn black over time.

Their markings make them difficult to see when on the leaf. The adults also have some dark markings on the back and wings.

The wings are highly sculptured, giving them a lacy appearance. Geological Survey, Azalea Lace Bug: Azalea lace bug ( Stephanitis pyrioides) is a major pest of azaleas in South Carolina. The mottled wings of azalea lace bugs provide natural camouflage.įorest & Kim Starr, U.S.

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