The rhododendron lace bug is a native species. The azalea lace bug and andromeda lace bug were both accidentally introduced from Japan. While at rest, wings are held flat over the insect, with tips and outer margins extending beyond the perimeter of the body. In most of the economically important species, the adults are cream colored with patches of black or brown. A dark X-shaped mark is apparent on wings of the azalea and andromeda lace bugs.
Nymphs are spiny and much darker than the adults.
Nymphs can be found clustered among their dark feces and cast nymphal skins on lower leaf surfaces. When fully grown nymphs are about one-half the size of the adults. Dark-colored eggs are inserted into the midrib on the lower leaf so that only the top of the egg appears above the leaf surface. They are covered with a varnishlike material secreted by the female. The overwintering eggs that are inserted into the midrib of broad-leaved evergreens the previous fall will hatch from late April through May.