Stephanitis takeyai

Adult andromeda lace bug. (Image: Mike Raupp.)
Scientific Name: Stephanitis takeyai
Common Name: Andromeda Lace Bug
Growing Degree Days (GDD's): Starting at 120 GDD's, Base 50F, March 1st Start Date; conflicting ranges (250-2500) are reported by different sources. (Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension; Robert Childs, UMass Extension.)
Host Plant(s) Common Name (Scientific Name)
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Fetterbush (Pieris ovalifolia) (Takeya 1963; Nair, 2011)
Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica) *preferred host
Kalmia (Kalmia latifolia) (Takeya 1963; Nair, 2011)
Leucothoe (Leucothoe spp.)
Lyonia (Lyonia ovalifolia var. elliptica) *preferred host in native range
Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
Snowbell (Styrax spp.) (*records mentioned in Johnson and Lyon, 1991)
Willow (Salix spp.) (*records mentioned in Johnson and Lyon, 1991)
Insect Description:

The Andromeda lace bug is most commonly encountered on Japanese Andromeda. Eggs are tiny and inserted into the midveins on the lower surface of the leaf and covered with a coating that hardens into a protective covering. 5 nymphal stages are reported. Nymphs are different in appearance from the adults, often covered with spiky protrusions. 3-4 generations per year have been observed in New England, with most activity seen between late-May into September (see GDD's). Both nymphs and adults can be seen feeding on leaf undersides. Adults have delicate, lace-like wings and what appears to be an "inflated hood" that covers their head. Adults are approximately 1/8 of an inch long. Arrived in the US in Connecticut in 1945 from Japan (Johnson and Lyon, 1991).
Damage to Host:

Can cause severe injury to Japanese andromeda, especially those in full sun. Mountain Andromeda (Pieris floribunda) is highly resistant to this pest. Like other lace bugs, this insect uses piercing-sucking mouthparts to drain plant fluids from the undersides of the leaves. Damage may be first noticed on the upper leaf surface, causing stippling and chlorosis (yellow or off-white coloration). Lace bug damage is distinguished from that of other insects upon inspecting the lower leaf surface for black, shiny spots, "shed" skins from the insects, and adult and nymphal lace bugs themselves.
Monitoring:

A first sign of potential lace bug infestation is stippling or yellow/white colored spots or chlorosis on host plant leaf surfaces. Lace bugs excrete a shiny, black, tar-like excrement that can often be found on the undersides of infested host plant leaves. Flip leaves over to inspect for this when lace bug damage is suspected.
Cultural Management:

Mountain Andromeda (Pieris floribunda) is considered to be highly resistant to this insect and can be used as an alternative for such plantings, along with other lace bug-resistant cultivars including P. floribunda x japonica (Dunbar, 1974; Nair, 2011). Consider replacing Japanese Andromeda with mountain andromeda as a way to manage for this pest. Of the Pieris japonica cultivars studied, their order of resistance is as follows: highly susceptible cultivars include 'Select', 'Debutante', and 'Cupido'. Less susceptible cultivars include 'Flaming Silver', 'Variegata', and 'Redmill' (Labanowski and Soika, 2000; Nair, 2011).
Natural Enemies & Biological Control:

Natural enemies are usually predators, and sometimes not present in large enough numbers in landscapes to reduce lace bug populations. Structurally and (plant) species complex landscapes have been shown to reduce azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) populations through the increase of natural enemies.
Chemical Management:

Abamectin (NL) (Lace bugs)

Acephate (NL) (Lace bugs)

Azadirachtin (NL) (Lace bugs)

Beauveria bassiana (NL) (Lace bugs)

Bifenthrin (NL) (Lace bugs)

Carbaryl (L) (Lace bugs)

Chlorantraniliprole (NL) (Lace bugs)

Chlorpyrifos (N) (Lace bugs)

Clothianidin (NL) (Lace bugs)

Cyantraniliprole (NL) (Lace bugs)

Cyfluthrin (NL) (Lace bugs)

Deltamethrin (L) (Lace bugs)

Dinotefuran (NL) (Lace bugs)

Fenpropathrin (NL) (Lace bugs)

Flonicamid+cyclaniliprole (N) (Lace bugs)

Gamma-cyhalothrin (L) (Lace bugs)

Horticultural Oil (L) (Lace bugs)

Imidacloprid (L) (Lace bugs)

Insecticidal soap (potassium salts of fatty acids) (NL) (Lace bugs)

Lambda-cyhalothrin (L) (Lace bugs)

Malathion (L) (Lace bugs)

Permethrin (L) (Lace bugs)

Pyrethrin+Sulfur (NL) (Lace bugs)

Spinetoram+sulfoxaflor (N) (Lace bugs)
Notes:

Concentrate contact insecticides to the undersides of the foliage for best management. Applications of horticultural oil (at the summer rate) or insecticidal soap work well when concentrated to the leaf undersides. Note that more than one application may be necessary as new eggs hatch. 

When used in nurseries, chlorpyrifos is for quarantine use only.

Active ingredients that may be applied systemically include: abamectin (injection), acephate (injection), azadirachtin (injection, soil drench), clothianidin (soil drench), chlorantraniliprole (soil drench), cyantraniliprole (soil drench, soil injection), imidacloprid (soil drench), and dinotefuran (soil drench).

Make insecticide applications after bloom to protect pollinators. Applications at times of the day and temperatures when pollinators are less likely to be active can also reduce the risk of impacting their populations.

Note: Beginning July 1, 2022 neonicotinoid insecticides are classified as state restricted use for use on tree and shrub insect pests in Massachusetts. For more information, visit the MA Department of Agricultural Resources Pesticide Program. 

Read and follow all label instructions for safety and proper use. If this guide contradicts language on the label, follow the most up-to-date instructions on the product label. Always confirm that the site you wish to treat and the pest you wish to manage are on the label before using any pesticide. Read the full disclaimer. Active ingredients labeled "L" indicate some products containing the active ingredient are labeled for landscape uses on trees or shrubs. Active ingredients labeled "N" indicate some products containing the active ingredient are labeled for use in nurseries. Always confirm allowable uses on product labels. This active ingredient list is based on what was registered for use in Massachusetts at the time of publication. This information changes rapidly and may not be up to date. If you are viewing this information from another state, check with your local Extension Service and State Pesticide Program for local uses and regulations. Active ingredient lists were last updated: September 27, 2024. To check current product registrations in Massachusetts, please visit the MA Department of Agricultural Resources Pesticide Product Registration page and click on "Search Pesticide Products Registered in Massachusetts - Kelly Solutions".