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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