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Identification and Control Methods for the Azalea Lace Bug

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The azalea lace bug, also called the azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides), and "little stink bug." Adults are about 3.5 mm long, dark brown, with wings covered in a network of veins; the forewings are slightly rectangular, and at rest the dark brown markings on the wings form an "X" shape. Nymphs resemble the adults but are tender and small, wingless, and about 2 mm long. Eggs are 0.6 mm long, oval, milky white, laid along the midrib and larger leaf veins, pale green when first laid and later turning pale yellow. There are 3 to 4 generations per year. Adults overwinter from mid to late October in bark and soil crevices and other such places, and the following year

The azalea lace bug, also called the azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides), and "little stink bug." Adults are about 3.5 mm long, dark brown, with wings covered in a network of veins; the forewings are slightly rectangular, and at rest the dark brown markings on the wings form an "X" shape. Nymphs resemble the adults but are tender and small, wingless, and about 2 mm long. Eggs are 0.6 mm long, oval, milky white, laid along the midrib and larger leaf veins, pale green when first laid and later turning pale yellow.

There are 3 to 4 generations per year. Adults overwinter from mid to late October in bark and soil crevices and other such places, and begin activity in April to May of the following year, feeding and causing damage on the undersides of leaves. Damage is most severe from July to August. Adults and nymphs like to gather in groups near the main veins on the undersides of leaves, piercing and sucking the leaf sap; their secretions form relatively large yellowish-brown rusty spots, and in severe cases the leaves turn pale and drop early, affecting the growth and flowering of the azalea.

Control methods: (1) After winter begins, clear away fallen leaves and weeds near the flowering plants, bury them deeply or burn them, to eliminate overwintering adults. (2) Chemical control: in May, after overwintering adults appear and during the occurrence period of the first-generation nymphs, spray 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate or 50% fenitrothion emulsion at 1000 times dilution, once every 7 to 10 days, spraying continuously 2 to 3 times. You can also use 3% carbofuran at about 5 grams per pot, which also gives very good results.

Azalea @#@254@#@, slugs mainly damage the roots. Sometimes slugs also damage the leaves. The growing medium used should be sterilized at high temperature to kill insect eggs. If pests are found, carbofuran or aldicarb can be applied to the pot for control.

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