For example, look out for azalea lace bug on the leaves. Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Azalea lace bug, Staphanitis pyroides, feeds on azalea and rhododendron and causes the leaves to become discolored with white stipples. Azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides, has been confirmed recently (summer 2009) in Oregon and was confirmed in 2008 in the state of Washington. First up… 1 – There’s the Castile Soap solution. There are a range of predators that feed on azalea lace bug including azalea plant bug, tree crickets, earwigs, green lacewings, minute pirate bugs, and spiders. Control is sometimes desired. Recently, a small black and reddish-orange plant bug, Rhinocapsus vanduzeei Uhler, has attracted the attention of home gardeners and nurserymen. Perhaps some time in the near future Stethoconus japonicus may contribute to effective management of azalea lace bugs throughout the southern United States. Azalea Lace Bug (Stephanitis pyriodes) and Rhododendron Lace Bug (Stephanitis takeyai) Lace bug damage is indicated by stippling (very tiny spots) on leaves of plants growing on dry sites and those with low plant diversity. The azalea can become almost silver or bleached in appearance from the feeding lace bug damage. Good air flow, healthy soil, correct soil Ph are all good starting points for healthy plants. Azalea lace bug eggs are plagued by tiny parasitic wasps. Some of the important species of lace bugs are for the azalea - Stephanitis pyrioides, hawthorn - Corythucha cydoniae, lantana - Teleonemia scrupulosa, and hackberry - C. celtidis. In Australia, the azalea lace bug can be found throughout the eastern states and ACT. Warning: Horticultural chemicals tend to work because they are harmful. A plant that has become a victim to lace bugs will show signs of yellow to white-looking foliage with clusters of black bugs on the bottom side of the leaves. As an added benefit, azalea shrubs are a hummingbird magnet. Well, let’s assume for a second that you’ve read some clown’s advice about suffocating indoor plant bugs using a soapy water solution. Also avoid overhead watering and prune plants to keep them open so air can circulate through the plants since prolonged moisture promotes this disease. For example, a walnut lace bug won’t feed on an azalea, and a willow lace bug won’t feed on a sycamore. Black fecal spots will be present on the lower sides of stippled leaves. Insecticidal soap is generally the best cure for this pest. Azalea gall is a new leaf disease that turns leaves brown that is specific to this species. The underside of the leaves sport black spots from the insects' abundant fecal matter. Bryan says: October 9, 2018 at 2:52 pm Hi Jessica! Plant bug-resistant varieties of azaleas, such as 'Dawn' (Rhododendron 'Dawn'), 'Pink Star' (Rhododendron 'Pink Star') or 'Ereka' (Rhododendron 'Ereka'). Cultural Control . Azalea lace bugs can be relatively difficult to control.