Lace Bug

🐛 Lace Bug

Stephanitis pyrioides / Corythucha ciliata · Hemiptera: Tingidae

Lace bugs are named for the delicate, lacy wing pattern of adults — but the damage they create on ornamental shrubs and trees is easy to identify from the distinctive leaf pattern.

HemipteraTingidaeOrnamental PestAzaleaLace BugStippled Leaves

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PestControlBasics Editorial Team

Reviewed by Derek Giordano · Updated 2026

Illustrated identification guide — PestControlBasics.com

🔍 Identification

Adults: 3-5mm; wings with intricate lace-like or hooded pattern — distinctive under magnification; tan to dark brown. Look on leaf undersides to find adult, nymph, and the characteristic tar-spot feces. Damaged leaves: silvery-grey stippling on upper surface; dark brown tar-like fecal spots on undersides (highly distinctive). Azalea lace bug most common; sycamore lace bug another common species.

🧬 Biology & Behavior

Nymphs and adults both feed on the undersides of leaves, sucking chlorophyll-containing cells. Multiple generations per year. Eggs are laid in leaf tissue with a dark fecal cap visible as a tiny black spot. Overwinter as eggs in leaf tissue. Populations build on sunny, stressed plants.

⚠️ Damage & Health Risk

Silvery, stippled, dull azalea and sycamore leaves; reduced photosynthesis; aesthetic damage to ornamental shrubs; severe infestations cause premature leaf drop.

🔧 DIY Treatment

Systemic imidacloprid (soil drench or granule) — very effective; apply in spring before new flush. Horticultural oil applied to leaf undersides (must contact nymphs). Pyrethroid spray with good undersurface coverage. Reduce plant stress — healthy well-watered azaleas tolerate lace bug pressure better.

👷 When to Call a Pro

For severe landscape-scale lace bug problems, professional systemic trunk injections or soil treatments provide longer-lasting protection than homeowner products.

❓ FAQ

How do I tell lace bug damage from spider mite damage?

Both cause stippled leaves. Key differences: lace bug: dark tar-spot fecal deposits on leaf undersides (unique to lace bugs); adults have distinctive lacy wings. Spider mite: fine webbing on leaf undersides; tiny moving specks when leaf is examined with magnification.

Which plants get lace bugs most?

Azalea is the most common host for azalea lace bug. Sycamore, London plane, and other Platanus species host sycamore lace bug. Lantana, rhododendron, and various other broadleaf ornamentals have species-specific lace bugs.

Factor	Details
U.S. Range	All or most U.S. states
Regional Detail	Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

Factor

Details

U.S. Range

All or most U.S. states

Regional Detail

Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

📅 Treatment Timing Guide

Treating at the right time dramatically improves results. Pest control timed to the life cycle uses less product and achieves better long-term control.

Period	Action
Spring	Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.
Summer	Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.
Fall	Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

Period

Action

Spring

Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.

Summer

Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.

Fall

Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

💰 Professional Treatment Costs

Service Type	DIY Cost	Professional Cost
Initial inspection	Free (self-inspect)	$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)
One-time treatment	$30–$100 in materials	$150–$500
Annual service contract	N/A	$400–$900/year
Severe infestation	Often ineffective alone	$500–$2,500+

Service Type

DIY Cost

Professional Cost

Initial inspection

Free (self-inspect)

$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)

One-time treatment

$30–$100 in materials

$150–$500

Annual service contract

N/A

$400–$900/year

Severe infestation

Often ineffective alone

$500–$2,500+

Prices vary by region, property size, and infestation severity.

❓ Common Questions About 🐛 Lace Bug

How do I confirm I actually have this pest (not something similar)?

The most reliable confirmation is a physical specimen — capture one and compare to reference images on this page. For cryptic pests (bed bugs, termites), look for secondary signs: frass, shed skins, mud tubes, or bites with a specific pattern. When uncertain, a professional inspection is faster than months of misidentification.

Can I treat this myself or do I need a professional?

DIY is effective for small, accessible infestations caught early. Professionals are worth the cost when: the infestation is inside wall voids or structural elements, multiple rooms are affected, you have health-risk pests (hantavirus, venomous species), or DIY has already failed twice.

How long until the infestation is completely gone?

Expect 3–8 weeks for most infestations with proper treatment. Insects with dormant life stages (pupae, eggs) extend the timeline because those stages are impervious to most insecticides. Follow-up treatments at 2 and 4 weeks catch each new cohort as they emerge.

What's the most common mistake people make treating this pest?

Treating only the visible pest population while ignoring the harborage site, entry point, or breeding location. Killing adults provides temporary relief but the population rebuilds from hidden egg cases, pupae, or new arrivals through unaddressed entry points.