Insect
and Disease Fact Sheet Compliments of New Century
1-877-79TREES
Lace Bugs
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Lace
bugs are common pests of a variety of ornamental trees and shrubs. The adults
have highly ornamented wings and a hood-like structure covering the head. The
entire surface is covered with veins that look like lace, The most common
lace bug pests in Ohio include the sycamore lace bug, hawthorn lace bug,
hackberry lace bug, oak lace bug, basswood lace bug, azalea lace bug,
rhododendron lace bug, and andromeda lace bug, The hawthorn lace bug often
attacks cotoneaster, pyracantha, flowering quince,
crabapple, mountain ash and shadbush as well as hawthorn while the basswood
lace bug commonly attacks lindens. The rhododendron lace bug also can be
found on mountain laurels. The rest of the species are fairly well restricted
to their namesake hosts. Lace bugs are
usually detected when their damage to the leaves of host plants becomes evident.
The
nymphs and adults live on the lower surface of leaves and suck juices through
slender, piercing mouthparts. This produces yellow or whitish spots on the
upper surface of the leaf. As the insects feed, they deposit hard,
varnish-like excrement onto the leaf surface. These are called tar spots or
resin spots. |
Once
the damage is noticed, the adults and nymphs can be looked for by turning over
affected leaves, Adult lace bugs are about 1/8 inch (3.0 mm) long by 1/16 inch
(1.5 to 2.0 mm) wide. They are somewhat rectangular in outline. The nymphs are
oval in outline and often covered with long spines. Most of the lace bugs move
rather slowly when disturbed but the hackberry lace bugs tend to drop from the
leaves that are touched.
Types of Damage
Most
plants react from lace bug feeding by having yellow or whitish spots evident on
the upper leaf surface. Heavy feeding from large infestations may result in
large; yellow, blistered areas on leaves, totally yellowed leaves and early
leaf drop. Broadleaf evergreen plants often keep the damaged leaves from one
season to the next.
The
under surface of affected leaves should have dark varnish-like spots of
excrement scattered about with concentrations along the leaf veins.
Concentrations of this excrement along the veins are most evident on broad leaf
evergreens. This is because the female lace bugs usually insert their eggs
along the leaf veins and coat the exposed surface of the egg with excrement.
Life
Cycles and Habits
Lace
bugs can be divided into two groups - those that attack deciduous trees and
shrubs and those that attack evergreen shrubs. Lace bugs that attack deciduous
plants spend the winter in the adult stage by hibernating on the plant under
bark or near the plant in leaf litter. Lace bugs that attack evergreens over winter
in the egg stage attached to the leaves.
The
hawthorn lace bug is one type that attacks deciduous plants. The adults
hibernate under loose bark of their host plants as well as among leaf litter.
They become active in early to mid-May and return to the new leaves. The
females soon begin to lay eggs along the larger veins on the lower leaf
surface. The females may lay eggs for a considerable time, often extending into
June. The eggs hatch in a couple of weeks and the nymphs cluster together and
feed. Each nymph sheds its skin (molts) five times before the adult stage is
reached. Growth to the adult stage usually takes three to four weeks. Peak
numbers of this pest are usually present in July. Only one generation occurs
per year. Related species of lace bugs such as the oak, sycamore and hackberry
lace bugs have two and occasionally three generations in a summer.
The
azalea lace bug (an example of a lace bug that attacks evergreens) over winters
in the egg stage. The eggs are partially inserted into the leaf tissues along
the mid-vein and are covered with the resin-like excrement of the female. The
nymphs hatch in the spring, usually mid-May, after the danger of frost is over.
They feed in small groups on the under surface of leaves and molt five times before
becoming adults. The adults mate and lay eggs for a second generation by mid to
late-July. Often there is a third generation in the late summer and early fall.
The andromeda and rhododendron lace bugs have similar life cycles.
Sycamore Lace Bug Adult and Fourth Instar Nymph
Control
Tactics
Plants
that attract lace bugs should be monitored early in order to determine if an
infestation is building. Elimination of the first generation of lace bugs is
necessary if visual damage is to be avoided. Existing spotting and yellowing of
leaves will not disappear once the lace bugs have been controlled.
Option 1: Cultural Control - Planting Site
Selection Most
lace bugs seem to prefer bright, sunny areas. Plant lace bug
susceptible plants in shady areas of the landscape. The azalea and
rhododendron lace bugs are rarely a problem when their host plants are in
heavily shaded areas.
Option
2: Cultural Control - Syringing Use a hard jet of water from a hose to dislodge the young
nymphs as they hatch in the spring. The tiny nymphs often die before they can
find their way back to suitable leaves.
Option 3: Biological Control - Encourage Predators Naturally occurring green lacewings, mites
and assassin bugs attack lace bugs. However, these predators often arrive after
considerable damage has occurred.
Option
4: Chemical Control - "Soft Pesticides" The insecticidal soaps are useful
if contact with the nymphs is made. Be sure to cover the underside of the
leaves where the nymphs are feeding. Additional applications may be needed to
control nymphs hatching out of eggs laid late or if re-infestations occur from
surrounding landscapes.
Option 5: Chemical Control - Standard Insecticides
Over-the-counter
products include (Orthene), (Sevin),
(Dursban), malathion,
and Rotenone plus Pyrethrum. Be sure to check each product's label because not
all lacebugs or host plants are listed on each label. .
Information obtained through the Ohio State Extension Factsheet HYG-2150-91
Insect
and Disease Fact Sheet Compliments of New Century
1-877-79TREES