Lacebugs (l) hatch in spring, mainly feeding on the undersides of the leaves. causing your azaleas (r) to look pale and forlorn. Early spring is a good time to treat them.
White Specks on Azalea Leaves
By Sharon Dent
About eight years ago my neighbor asked me, a master gardener, to diagnose a problem with her azaleas. The leaves were “silverfish” in appearance. I did not know what caused it, and I did not take the effort to research it.
Then two and a half years ago eight of my azaleas that are close to our common property line developed that same appearance. I figured out it was an attack of lacebugs. These tiny bugs feed on the undersides of leaves, sucking out the sap.
I rarely use insecticides because of fear of damaging the environment especially pollinators. But in this case, I did use an insecticide because the shrubs looked so anemic. It was in July. It did not help.
In the early spring of 2019 after the azaleas bloomed, I noticed the leaves were looking pale again —like the chlorophyll was gone. That is when I found out use of insecticides aren’t effective on lacebugs unless the problem is caught early in the year. That had not happened the year before – 2018. I had treated the azaleas in July.
It was May 5, when I again noticed the problem last year – 2019. The bugs usually start feeding by mid-May. In my case it was the perfect time to treat them. I used Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Drench.
I used it multiple times in May and June, and the bugs were killed, but some damage was already done. Not as much as the previous year though. If it worked, then the new 2020 foliage should green-up. My fingers are crossed that the lacebugs will not come back this spring.
Advanced Garland County Master Gardener, Sharon Dent, volunteers with Garland County Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more information, call 501-623-6841 or email adykes@uaex.edu. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. Master Gardener, Sharon Dent, volunteers with Garland County Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service.
