Lacebugs came and went...and came back?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I had two evergreen azaleas (one must be at least 10yrs old and the other I planted last spring). They both got hit badly by lacebugs last Summer and Fall and despite regularly spraying them with insecticidal soap, the bugs stayed on them.Fast forward to March 2019, and the bugs started eating all the new leaf growth. However, after several hard rains and strong winds...more new growth appeared, but no sign of lace bugs.My question is: are the bugs gone or should I use the insecticidal soap as a precaution and for how often?

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Comments (3)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
7 years ago
Insecticidal soap is only useful when applied directly on a living insect. Precautionary sprays are useless and may cause problems to beneficials.

I've had the best luck in the control of lace bugs by using a horticultural oil applied directly to the underside of the leaves where these pests hang out. Of course, make sure that your azaleas are growing where they are without stress and that they receive the best care possible.

Lace bugs don't exactly eat leaf tissue, you know that, right? As in chew up the new growth. If you have something that's nibbling away, then we'll have to make a different identification.
hl_60 thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
luis_pr
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
The eggs can have multiple hatch times per growing season so, when they visited my azaleas several years ago, I guess I declared war.... I used a systemic insecticide immediately on year one, sprayed neem oil on the plant and soil at the start of winter #1, and, in Spring of years 2-3, I released beneficial predators (like green lacewings).

Depending on your location, rhododendron lace bug eggs first hatch in late April (or as early as mid-April or as late as end of May), with later generations in around May (or later) and June (or later). More info:

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/Azalea_lacebug.pdf

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/lace-bugs.aspx

http://www.ipm.uconn.edu/documents/raw2/Lace%20Bugs/Lace%20Bugs.php?aid=179

I noticed a small number of partially injured azalea leaves on the second Spring and then forgot to check in future years. Have not noticed any "large" amount of leaf injuries since. I did not want to move them to a location with less sun because they were already in "bright shade".
hl_60 thanked luis_pr
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hl_60
Original Author
7 years ago
It’s definitely lacebugs. I made sure the soap was on the underside of the leaves. I also tried spraying the bugs off with a jet of water from my hose (MO botanical garden suggests this).

Luis, this info is very helpful. I’ll keep an eye on my azaleas and treat accordingly. I really hope they’re gone though...