Azalea lace bug nymphs and fecal spotting on the underside of a rhododendron leaf Azalea lace bug eggs covered by excrement are often inserted into the midrib of a leaf. Treatment for azaleas lace bugs. The two basic types of chemical insecticides are systemic and non-systemic. for azalea lace bug (Smith-Fiola). Handling an Infestation Rinse plants that have a minor infestation. Treatments: It’s best to eliminate Azalea lace bugs during spring & summer so that the larvae do not overwinter in the leaves of the shrub and return next year. A dark adhesive is used to bond the eggs to the leaf, so you will see the pouches as a brown-white. Once nymphs have hatched, they quickly turn black and look very spiky if observed closely enough. Identifying Lace Bug Damage. One of the most common problems with azaleas is the ‘black spots’ that appear on the foliage. The insects in this family generally live and feed on the underside of leaves. It had only one generation per year, hence only one treatment generally was required to control the insect. Use a garden hose - In lieu of spraying chemicals, use a high velocity stream of water from your garden hose to knock off the lace bugs from your plants. However, these products must directly coat the lace bugs’ exoskeleton to suffocate them. KEEP IT COOL. COVID-19 Extension Updates and Resources ... More Information », Old lace bug injury with healthy new growthWhitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, www.forestryimages.org. Eggs are laid in the midrib on the underside of leaves. Soap and oil sprays have no residual effect, so beneficial insects are not harmed once the spray has dried. However, these chemicals also kill or repel natural enemies and other beneficial insects. If this pest isn't taken care of early in the season, extensive damage to foliage can occur. Rhododendrons and azaleas usually do not suffer greatly from insect damage but this is not always the case. The most effective preventative measure is growing healthy plants in an optimal location. Noticing them is an important step so treatment can be administered quickly. Systemic insecticide products effective in controlling lace bugs contain the active ingredients imidacloprid and dinotefuran. Keep your azalea watered and properly fertilized. Azalea lace bug nymph.Tracy Wooten, University of Delaware, Bugwood.org. Some of the important species of lace bugs are for the azalea - Stephanitis pyrioides, hawthorn - Corythucha cydoniae, lantana - Teleonemia scrupulosa, and hackberry - C. celtidis.Lace bugs also feed on oak, elm, basswood, fringetree, and pyracantha among others. This will dislodge nymphs, eggs and brush off adults. Apply these types of products directly and carefully to the lasce bug infestation. Insecticidal soap and horticultural oil sprays are extremely effective at controlling lace bugs. Keeping Pesky Insects out of the Flower Bed. Evidence of lace bugs on the back of serviceberry leaves. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Azalea lace bugs can be a very destructive pest in home landscapes. Copyright© Soap and oil sprays have no residual effect, so beneficial insects are not harmed once the spray has dried. Lace Bugs . Photo: P.M. Shrewsbury, University of Maryland. However, these products must directly coat the lace bugs’ exoskeleton to suffocate them. These are called lace bugs because their wing patterns make it look as though they're made of lace. This can knock the pests of the plant and disorient them enough to … This is usually the easiest method to achieve control. Lace bugs are small, inconspicuous, plant-feeding bugs. Leaf damage cannot be reversed. If you find that natural predators cannot keep up with the lace bug infestation, use only a non-persistent, contact insecticide treatment. The first method to try is to spray the plant down with a sprayer on the hose. For season-long prevention and control of lace bugs and other leaf sucking or chewing insects a systemic insecticide drench containing Imidacloprid can be applied around the roots of the plants in late winter or early spring, when the azalea is in … Lace bugs are important pests of many ornamental trees and shrubs. All neonicotinoid treatments significantly reduced azalea lace bugs by 60 days compared to the untreated control. View our Privacy Policy here. All information is provided "AS IS." Eventually the leaves will give a silvery mottled appearance. Lace bug feeding is not a serious threat to plant health or survival. Recommended insecticides to control the Rhododendron lace bug are the same as for the azalea lace bug. Damage may give the foliage a chlorotic bleached appearance. Most have a specific host preference, which aids in identification. Are your azalea plants not looking its best? Lace bug-infested leaves typically feature whitish, flecked damage. 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