Jim Baker, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org

Lace bugs

Botanical Name:
Common Name:
Caused by: Tingidae
Classification: Animalia, Insecta, Hemiptera, Tingidae

Lace bug is a pest typically feeding on azaleas and other flowering plants causing yellow and white stippling on the leaves, leaf drop, and curling.

  • Avoid dry soil and full sun which make the plant more susceptible to infection.
  • Choose suitable neighboring plants. Plant a wide variety of species to avoid the infection from spreading - lace bugs feed usually on one plant species.
  • No prevention information available.
  • Remove pests mechanically. Use a strong stream of water to remove the insect.
  • Apply ecological products for plant protection (e.g. horticultural oil, neem oil, insecticidal soap).
  • Introduce natural enemies - predators, parasites, or diseases (e.g. parasitic wasp Diglyphus isaea, bacterium Bacillus thurigiensis, beneficial nematodes).
  • If necessary, apply insecticide containing imidacloprid (GHS07: Harmful, GHS08: Health hazard).
  • If necessary, apply insecticide containing carbaryl (GHS07: Harmful, GHS08: Health hazard, GHS09: Environmental hazard).
  • If necessary, apply insecticide containing pyrethrin (GHS07: Harmful, GHS09: Environmental hazard).