Once they have sprung their summer leaves, your trees and shrubs should be able create a lush and vibrant landscape.
Your backyard could look like it’s being attacked or have dark spots on the undersides,
Does it penetrate your leaves sucking the sap from them and leaving that mottled, stippled appearance? It could be lacebugs.
These tiny insects can be irritating, but there are good things.
WHAT ARE LACEBUGS?
This pest is very small and can be found in your plants. It might be hard to believe, but what is a lacebug? “
Lace bugs measure one-eighth of an inch in length. It is possible to identify them using a magnifying lens. Their transparent, patterned wings form a lacy shield around the bodies.
LACE BUG LIFE CYCLE
The life cycle of lace bugs includes three stages.
It all begins with lacebug eggs. Female adults place the eggs in the leaves, then cover them with dark excrement. Nymphs or babies become adults in five stages.
COMMON LACE BUG SPECIES
Lace insects are often host-specific pests. They can only eat one kind of plant.
Azalea lace bug infestations are common in the eastern United States, including Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, and Massachusetts. It can also infest azaleas in California and Florida.
The small, dark-colored hawthorn lac bug is smaller than the other lace bugs.
Rhododendron-lace bugs are black in color and 3/8 inch long, with gray wings. They love to attack mountain laurel and rhododendron plants in the eastern U.S.
Sycamore lacebugs look very much like azalea and the azalea, both in terms of size and color. They will eat oak, hickory, mulberry and sycamore trees.
WARNING SIGNS: LACE BUG DAMAGE
Lace bug damage is usually seen in the first few days. They are small.
The fluid that leaves contain is loved by lace bugs. They love to eat the fluid from leaves and this causes them to appear yellowed or spotted.
What attracts lacebugs to your yard?
TREES ARE SUSPECTIBLE TO LACEBUGS
Lace bugs can infest many deciduous shrubs, trees and shrubs throughout the United States.
These are the areas where you’ll see most lacebug damage to trees or shrubs:
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
- Sycamore
- Ash
- Hickory
- Mulberry
- Hawthorn
- Mountain laurel
- Cotoneaster
- Japanese quince
- Japanese andromeda (Pieris)
- Oak
- Mango
HOW TO RID LACE BUGS
To get rid of lacebugs, wash the leaves with water.
It’s important to recognize and take action against this pest as soon as possible.
Azaleas and Japanese andromeda thrive in shade. However, they are more vulnerable to sunburn if they are constantly exposed to direct sunlight. These species should be planted in shade or provided shade.
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