Azalea lace bug

Azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides, has been confirmed recently (summer 2009) in Oregon and was confirmed in 2008 in the state of Washington. Damage from this new introduction was noticed first on evergreen azalea plants in landscapes which turn nearly white from feeding damage. This lace bug is also causing damage on rhododendrons, the damage appears to be more severe than damage reported from rhododendron lace bug which has been in the PNW for some time and is reported to have only one generation per year compared to multiple generations reported for azalea lacebug.

Models currently show larval emergence from overwintering eggs during the first week of May.

Azalea lace bug fact sheet - commercial growers

Azalea lace bug fact sheet - home gardens/landscapes

Useful websites:

Featured Creatures: Azalea lace bug. Great reference site with nice images and control information.

Lace bugs on your azalea. Todd Murray WSU

Encore Azalea varieties resistant to azalea lace bug Nursery Management and Production

UC IPM Online: Lace bugs

Gallery

Azalea lace bug damage on azalea

Azalea lace bug damage on azalea close up

Azalea lace bugs and damage on azalea close up

Azalea lace bug damage on rhododendron

Severe azalea lace bug damage on rhododendron

Azalea lace bug nymphs and fecal spotting on the underside of a rhododendron leaf

Azalea lace bug nymphs and fecal spotting on the underside of a rhododendron leaf

Azalea lace bug eggs covered by excrement

Newly hatched (eclosed) azalea lace bug nymphs on rhododendron as it looks with the naked eye

First and second instar lace bug nymphs

Azalea lace bug adult

Lacewing larva, a beneficial insect, found near lace bug infestation

Lace bug lunch for lacewing larva

Page last modified 4/19/13