Azalea Leaves Chewed to Pieces

Question

I have several varieties of azaleas in a bed in front of my house, including George Taber. Only the George Taber’s are affected. The leaves are chewed to pieces. I have several old bushes. This past spring I planted three new bushes that I bought out of town. I barely had them in the ground when their leaves started being chewed. They are now almost stripped. I lived in Ft. Myers, Fl. I am pushing the southernmost area in which to grow azaleas. I have them planted under a semi-circle of oak trees and they are doing well. The formosas, southern charms, and coral bells have not been touched by whatever is eating the Tabers. I notice something is flying all around them – it has a black body. Don’t know if this is the culprit or not. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer 1

You have azalea lace bugs. They will eat the leaves of azalea plants. This article from University of Florida will help you with them: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/shrubs/azalea_lace_bug.htm