Copyright 2010-2011 Updated December 9, 2011 Ultralawn, Inc. 1055 East 260th Street Euclid, Ohio  44132 (216) 731-7756 (440) 951-3738 About • Lawn Care • Trees/Shrubs • Pest Barrier • Questions • Contact Lawn Pests   We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions Lace Bugs   Lace bugs are common pests of azalea, rhododendron, burning bushes, and many deciduous trees and shrubs. The adults have highly ornamented wings and a hood-like structure covering the head. The entire surface of the insect is covered with veins that look like lace. Description: Adult lace bugs are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long with a net like pattern on the wings, which are dotted with brown and black. The immature stages are similar except they are smaller and often have spines. They resemble small, black smoke loads attached to the undersides of the leaf. Life Cycle: 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. 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 they cluster together and feed. Peak numbers of this pest are usually present in July. Only one generation occurs per year. Damage: Lace bug damage is first noticed as yellow spots on the upper leaf surfaces of affected plants. Lace bugs actually feed on the undersides of leaves with their piercing-sucking mouthparts, but because they kill surrounding cells as they feed, they cause the yellow spots to appear on the upper sides of the leaves. The first yellow spots that appear are very similar to mite damage, but the spots made by lace bugs are much larger. When feeding damage becomes severe, the leaves take on a gray-blotched like appearance or can turn completely brown. Control: 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. Preventative insect controls are available to manage lace bugs around the home. This will provide more effective long-term control.