What's it look like?

You'll notice the damage of the azalea lace bug before you see these tiny insects. The bugs will pierce and suck the sap from the leaves making them a mottled silvery color. Azalea lace bug damage is similar and often mistaken for red spider mite or white fly. The difference is that these bugs will excrete sticky, black, tar-like dots on the undersides of the leaves. They get their "lace bug" name from the lace appearance of the wings on adult insects.

What it attacks

Azalea lace bugs will attack the leaves of most azaleas.

What to do before it arrives

Splash plants with diluted soapy water as this can sometimes deter the insect from laying eggs. Plant flowers to attract predators into the garden, include things like dill flowers, flowering sage and cabbage family plants that have gone to seed.

What to do if you already have problems

Controlling azalea lace bug can be difficult. If you only have a few damaged leaves then try hosing insects off with water making sure you spray from the underside of the leaf, or just prune off the infected leaves. Try leaving them alone, if possible, to encourage predators. Small birds, hoverflies, wasps, ladybirds and lacewings can help. Leave a few vegetables and herbs to go to flower in the garden to attract them. Using sprays can kill predators so use them sparingly. If lace bug population is out of hand then try oil sprays before temperatures are too hot, or a soap spray. Yellow sticky cards nearby will collect a few lace bug but will also get the predators as well. Garlic, pyrethrum and woodworm sprays are said to work well too.