Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides)
Rhododendron lace bug (Stephanitis rhododendri)
Pest description and damage These insects use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on individual cells, so the upper leaf surface is yellow and stippled. The underside of leaves is covered with black tar-like spots. Infestations are more severe on plants in the sun. Damage is usually apparent around early to mid-July. While almost never fatal, repeated infestations of rhododendron lace bugs may result in yellowed, sickly plants. Adult insects are whitish-tan and approximately 0.13 inch in length with lacy-looking wings. Nymphs grow to about 0.13 inch in length and are spiny. The damage the insects cause is similar on first inspection to that of leafhoppers, but with tar-spots. Identification is based on the dark markings on the thorax and forewings.
For biology, life history, monitoring and management
See:
Azalea (Rhododendron)-Azalea and rhododendron lace bug
Management-chemical control
See Table 1 in: