As a host plant, the azalea, I speak for my kind. The invasion of the lace bug (*Stephanitis pyrioides*) is a silent, draining ordeal that weakens our very essence. From our perspective, it is a battle for light and life. Here is what must be done to defend us.
The first sign of their attack is not easily visible from a distance. On the undersides of our leaves, the adults and nymphs pierce our cells with their needle-like mouthparts, sucking out our chlorophyll—the very substance of our photosynthesis. This draining leaves a telltale stippling pattern of tiny yellow or white spots on the upper leaf surfaces. As the assault continues, this stippling coalesces, and our leaves turn a sickly grayish-white, then brown, and may prematurely drop. You might also see their dark, varnish-like excrement spots and the nymphs' shed skins stuck to our foliage. This damage severely compromises our ability to feed ourselves.
Our first line of defense is a healthy growing environment. Lace bugs are opportunists, strongly attracted to us when we are stressed by heat and sun. Please plant us in dappled shade or areas with afternoon protection, as intense sun exposure makes us more susceptible to infestation. Ensure our soil is well-drained, yet kept consistently moist with a layer of organic mulch to regulate temperature and moisture. Avoid planting us in hot, reflective areas near south or west-facing walls. A stressed azalea is a beacon to these pests; a healthy, vigorously growing one is far more resilient.
We are not without allies. You can recruit a defense force that works with us. Several beneficial insects prey upon lace bug eggs, nymphs, and adults. These include lacewings, lady beetles, assassin bugs, and most effectively, tiny parasitic wasps and predatory mites that specifically target the eggs. To attract and sustain these beneficial populations, you must cultivate a diverse garden with a variety of flowering plants that provide pollen and nectar throughout the growing season. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides, which will indiscriminately kill these helpful creatures, leaving us utterly vulnerable.
When an infestation is severe and our health is in rapid decline, more direct action is required. For a gentle yet effective approach, a strong jet of water from a garden hose directed at the undersides of our leaves can dislodge a significant number of the nymphs and adults, interrupting their life cycle. For persistent problems, insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils (like neem oil) are effective options that must thoroughly coat the *undersides* of our leaves where the pests reside. These treatments suffocate the pests with minimal impact on beneficial insects once the spray has dried. In extreme cases, a systemic insecticide applied to the soil may be necessary, which we will take up into our vascular system, making our sap toxic to the feeding bugs.
