Azalea Lace Bug Infestation: Identification, Control, and Prevention Guide
How are your azaleas fairing this year? Mine are shocking. I have had an outbreak of Azaleas lace bug in a high presentation area, by my front steps. A total of seven azaleas have been affected and it’s has leapt to a magnolia above. The conditions this season have been prime for outbreak, humid! It’s the worst i’ve seen since moving to the area. Almost every garden i’ve visited or stroll by this month in the Blue Mountains has an infestation.
Azaleas are beautiful both in bloom and as an evergreen shrub but an infestation of lace bug will leave them with looking very sickly. Foliage can appear silver white metallic colour through to rusty brown in mid to late summer. If severe enough will cause the shrub to defoliate. By this stage the damage is already done and there is no reversing the effects. but don’t worry it won’t kill your plant just make it look incredibly sad. Let’s explore what a Lace Bug is and how to prevent and treat your infestation.
Heavy infestation of Azalea lace bug showing bronzed metallic leaf damage.
What is an Azalea lace bug?
Azalea Lace Bugs are small insects, typically measuring upto 3mm in length as adults. They are named for the delicate lace-like pattern found on their wings. These bugs are primarily found on the undersides of azalea leaves, where they feed by piercing the foliage and sucking out plant juices. This feeding activity results in characteristic damage, including stippling, discoloration, and premature leaf drop.
The life cycle commences with lace bug eggs, which are laid by female adults into leaves and concealed under dark excrement. If sheltered these eggs can endure the winter on evergreen hosts. After hatching, the nymphs progress through five stages, maturing into adults within a few weeks. lace bugs can produce many generations throughout a growing season. Eggs have been thought to survive in the soil once leaves have fallen.
Adult Azalea Lace Bug.
How to identify a lace bug outbreak.
A key identifier of Azalea Lace Bug infestation is the presence of dark fecal spots on the undersides of affected leaves. These spots, often resembling cracked pepper, are a telltale sign of lace bug activity. Additionally, if you observe bronzing, silvering or metallic foliage, especially on the top of the leaf surface, it may indicate a severe infestation.
Example of dark fecal spots on azalea leaf underside.
Solutions
Controlling Azalea Lace Bugs requires a multi-faceted approach to keep them at bay. When it comes to Azalea Lace Bug prevention is always better than cure. Here are some strategies to help you tackle these suckers.
Cultural Practices:
Promote plant health by providing optimal growing conditions for your azaleas. Ensure they receive sufficient water and nutrients, and plant them in well-drained soil. A healthy plant is far less likely to be attacked by pests.
For small infestations, prune away and discard of infested foliage to reduce lace bug populations and prevent the spread of the infestation.
For large infestations, Hard pruning your plants back in springtime when they are actively growing may be a good option to restore shape and appearance.
Rake up all fallen leaves and dispose of them in a green bin or burn them, do not compost or mulch any plant parts. This is to break the life cycle of azalea lace bug for the following year.
Encourage natural predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites, which help keep lace bug populations in check. Do this by planting species that actively attract beneficial insects.
Organic Treatment
Spray entire plant, particularly the underside of the leaves with a neem based product throughout the summer. These products suffocate the insects on contact and have minimal impact on beneficial organisms. Some neem products actively attract beneficials to the area after spraying. You’ll need to be diligent if an infestation is present.
Chemical
If cultural and organic methods prove insufficient, consider using insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils to control lace bugs. These products also suffocate the insects. these products may have environmental impacts and may negatively impact the biodiversity balance in your garden when overused.
Systemic insecticides can also be effective against lace bugs. These products are absorbed by the plant and kill insects when they feed on the plants foliage. Follow label instructions carefully when applying any chemical treatments.
Products with the containing neonicotinoids such as Yeates Confidor have been banned by major australian retailers after receiving negative consumer feedback due to its harm to honey bees.
Neonicotinoid, is a class of pesticides which is absorbed by the plant rather than coating the foliage. The chemicals spread to all parts of the plants, and exposes bees through the flowers pollen.
Photo by Hannah Le
Azaleas in the Blue Mountains spring 2023
If you find your plants inflicted by lacebug year on year it may be a time to rethink your plantings. Remember right plant for the right place, extends to pest and disease damage also. An unhappy plant is far more likely fall under pest attack. It would be far better for your garden, the environment and your own health to replace your azalea plants with a more hardy, better suited species than to splash harmful chemicals around your garden each year.
To prevent recurring infestations of Azalea Lace Bugs, adopt proactive measures to maintain plant health and monitor for signs of pest activity regularly. Inspect the undersides of azalea leaves periodically for the presence of lace bugs or their characteristic damage. By promptly identifying and addressing infestations, you can safeguard the beauty and vitality of your azaleas for years to come.
Azalea Lace Bugs pose a significant threat to the appearance of azalea plants. However, with vigilant monitoring and a combination of cultural and organic control methods, you can effectively manage these pests and preserve the beauty of your garden. Remember, don’t compost or mulch infected plant parts, rake up dropped leaves, treat as soon as you see any sign of infestation with neem oil and finally build biodiversity in your garden. Stay proactive, stay observant, stay positive and your azaleas will thrive, lace bug free.
Azaleas in full spring bloom