In a 2009 USDA study, eleven varieties of Encore Azaleas were found to be resistant to lace bugs, meaning Encore Azaleas can play an important role in eco-friendly pest control!
The study, conducted at the USDA-ARS Thad Cochran Horticultural Research Laboratory in Poplarville, Miss., examined 19 varieties of Encore Azalea for host plant resistance to lace bugs. Study details can be found at www.ars.usda.gov.
Research entomologist Grant Kirker reports, “Host plant resistance is an environmentally friendly, low-tech, low-cost method of control that reduces the need for pesticides to manage azalea lace bugs.” Researchers are hopeful that this new knowledge will lead eventually to the breeding of pest-free cultivars.
Which Encore Azalea varieties are lace bug resistant?
The Encore Azalea cultivars found to be lace bug resistant include:
Autumn Amethyst Autumn Twist
Autumn Royalty Autumn Sangria
Autumn Cheer Autumn Rouge
Cultivars showing moderate resistance were
Autumn Embers Autumn Bravo
Autumn Starlite Autumn Ruby
Autumn Princess
How do you know if your Encore Azaleas have been affected by lace bugs?
Lace BugLace bugs can leave a yellowish stippling on the upper and lower leaf surface.
If you notice the discoloration, turn the leaves over and look for tarry black spots and the shed skins of nymphs. Adult lace bugs are slightly longer than an eighth of an inch and their wings and body coverings have a characteristic lacy appearance. Severe infestations can lead to reduced plant vigor and loss of leaves.
If you see signs of infestation, ask your local garden center to suggest an insecticides or insecticidal soap. The key to control is applying the insecticide to the underside of the leaves where the lace bugs live. Because there can be as many as three generations of lace bugs each growing season, you must keep your eye on the plant and treat when new damage is noticed. If you've planted the varieties of Encore Azalea listed above, you'll have less to worry about!