Lacebugs Infesting Azaleas Now

Better check to see if lacebugs are damaging your azalea foliage. Populations of this pest are higher than normal for this time of year and some shrubs are showing the effects of heavy feeding.

The first sign of damage on azalea leaves is a light stippling caused by many small white, brown or yellow specks. Each speck on the upper leaf surface coincides with damage on the underside of the leaf where lacebugs pierce cells and suck sap.

Light infestations by this pest go largely unnoticed each summer by azalea growers. However, this year damage is so severe that feeding sites on individual leaves have coalesced causing all leaves to take on a whitish or gray cast. Unless controlled, such heavy feeding by lacebugs can severely stress, and even stunt azaleas.

Inspecting Plants

Examine plants weekly during the spring, summer and fall. Look at the undersides of a few leaves on each plant and observe for lacebugs. The use of a 10 and 15 power hand lens aids in detection and identification.

Lacebugs are small insects, _ to ¼ inch in length, broad, flattened and rectangular in shape. The wings of adults are partially transparent or lace-like in appearance. Immature lacebugs are blackish in color, wingless and have many small spines projecting from their body.

Also, look for small, dark shiny spots on the undersides of leaves. These are eggs that are covered with a varnish-like substance and are very noticeable when leaves become very infested.

Control

Most plants in the urban landscape are over-sprayed, resulting in unnecessary environmental contamination which often upsets the natural predator/parasite – pest balance. Don’t apply a control measure until you have positively identified lacebugs and the beginning of damage symptoms.

Non-insecticidal control of lacebugs is possible. Some homeowners are able to remove them and keep populations below damaging levels by spraying their plants with a forceful stream of water. Use a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle and spray the undersides of leaves and stems when the lacebugs appear.

Soaps are available that are formulated for controlling lacebugs and other soft bodied insects. If one of the commercial soaps is unavailable, 4 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap per gallon of water may be applied as a foliar spray. Repeat in one week and later as required.

Suggested insecticides for lacebug control include Acephate (Orthene), Diazinon, Sevin, Malathion and Di-Syston granules. Follow label directions carefully. Make certain that plants have been well irrigated one to two days prior to treatment and avoid applying sprays during hotter, brighter times of the day.

Note: Though lacebug injury is currently most severe on azaleas, they also infest other ornamental plant species including pyracantha, hawthorn, lantana and sycamore.

Question of the Week: Is it too late to establish tomato plants in the garden?

Answer: Early June is not a good time to transplant tomatoes to the garden. It is too late for a spring crop and too early for a fall planting . If you would like to try a fall crop, seed tomatoes and grow them in small containers for late July transplanting.