The azalea lacebug is a major pest of the azalea. The small adult is about one- eighth inch long and has lacy wings with brown and black markings with light brown legs and antennae. The eggs are laid in leaf tissue along the veins and hatch in 25 days. The life cycle is from 35 to 45 days. Damage is caused by the sucking of the lacebugs.
Greatest buildup occurs during late summer.
Repeated treatments may be needed for effective control. Insecticides such as Insecticidal Soap, Summer Horticultural Oils, Dursban, Malathion, Orthene, Sevin may be used depending on the species or cultivar. Always read product labels carefully before purchase. Look for information on phytotoxicity that can occur on sensitive plants or under some environmental conditions. Regularly check for infestations so that a treatment can be applied before the plants are disfigured by lacebugs.