Something is munching on my American Fringe tree

Question: I noticed some leaf damage today on my American fringe tree.  It looks like something is eating the leaves.   Any identification and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

responder: Answered by the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit theHGIC program web page and blog,Maryland Grows. Replied June 05, 2023, 9:14 PM EDT
response: Hi Charles.   Thank you for your question. The leaf damage looks most likely to be due to fringe tree lace bugs (Leptoypha mutica), although it could also be due to red-orange spider mites. Usually, damage is minor and the infestation will go away on its own. In severe cases or if you are particularly concerned, you could consider using insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.  You can find more information on fringe tree lace bugs and their management at the University of Maryland extension web site: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lace-bugs-trees-and-shrubs and more information on fringe tree mites at the Missouri Botanical Garden web site: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b963.  You can find more information on how to use horticultural oil at the Univ of MD Extension web site: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/pesticide-profile-horticultural-oil. Please let me know if you have additional questions or need clarification. Bob

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 07, 2023, 8:10 PM EDT
response: Thank you for the suggestions.  I am going to keep an eye on it and leave it be for now. regards, Charles

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 20, 2023, 3:39 PM EDT
response: It looks like I have some activity on my American Fringe Tree.  Is the growth on the underside of the leaves eggs?  Should I be taking measure to control the activity? Does this look like fringe tree lace bugs? Thank you.  Charles

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 21, 2023, 12:44 PM EDT
response: Hello Charles,  The pictured objects do look like eggs, though they appear to have hatched already (we think we see holes in their sides). Insect eggs can be hard to identify without any accompanying nymphs to observe, but these might be from a plant bug, a large group of insects that are related to stink bugs and which can feed on plant sap. Even so, very few are serious pests and those pictured here would not likely cause any significant damage to the Fringetree and do not need control. If more are found, they could be squished if not yet hatched, but some true bugs are predacious and help defend plants from pests, so using eggs alone to determine which insect is present may not be reliable and you don't want to remove beneficial insects if possible.  The leaf damage pictured is not quite in focus so it's hard to assess; a picture of the underside of that particular leaf might help us diagnose the issue as well. It is not lace bug damage, and lace bug eggs are much smaller than those pictured. Still, Fringetree doesn't have any serious pests or diseases that cause that particular type of leaf symptom, so it's not likely to be an issue you need to intervene to treat.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 21, 2023, 1:29 PM EDT
response: Good afternoon Miri, thank you for your reply.  The underside of the leaves does not appear to be widely affected.  Some of the underside have the appearance shown.  The top of most of the leaves look spectacled as in the pictures.  I'll continue to monitor.  I have had the tree for a 3 years and it is about 5 ft. tall.  I hope these images give a better description.  warmly,  Charles

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 21, 2023, 2:49 PM EDT
response: Thank you for the new photos. I'll revise my assessment and say that these pictures do seem to show lace bug damage (can't rule-out leafhopper feeding since their stippling looks very similar). The previous photo showing what look like copper-colored oval eggs is definitely something different, but still probably inconsequential. Fortunately, the lace bug damage doesn't look too extensive and predatory insects might already be suppressing their population a bit. Treatment isn't needed and the tree should look normal when it leaf-out next spring. (Damaged leaves can't heal, but any new growth -- which is not likely now just given how late into the growing season we are -- should look better unless the lace bug population explodes.)  If this particular species of lace bugs happens to overwinter as adults, then removing the fallen autumn leaves of the Fringetree should help reduce how many persist into next year because it will remove a source of shelter for them. Weather plays a large role in insect survival and abundance as well, and in a year with more normal levels of precipitation than we've been having this droughty year, more lace bugs might fail to survive and reproduce due to factors like more prevalent insect-infecting fungi and other insect-specific pathogens. Plus, host plants of pest insects will be less stressed and vulnerable to feeding damage as well, though any plants sited close to sources of reflected heat (walls, pavement) or which are growing in areas with reduced air circulation (near walls or more-or-less solid fences) can be more prone to lace bug outbreaks than those in sites with more of a cooling breeze or better airflow.  Miri