Azalea Ailment

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fleur_guy Parma, OH(Zone 5b) Jun 17, 2008

The topside of the leaves on my Azalea has a yellowish cast. The underside of
the leaves has little black specks. Any suggestions as to what I should treat
this plant for? BTW the plant has finished blooming.

Post #5117717
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robcorreia San Diego, CA(Zone 10b) Jun 17, 2008

A picture would help...

Post #5119154
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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 18, 2008

This sounds like lacebugs. The black specks are poop. They are sucking insects, and inject an enzyme into the plant's tissue to help digest it, and that, along with the removal of chlorophyll causes the discoloration on the top of the leaves. Azaleas are notorious for attracting lacebugs. (Not to be confused with lacewings - a beneficial insect.)

Here is a good article about them, showing the adults, nymphs, poop, damage and control methods.
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/orn/shrubs/azalea_lace_bug.htm

Post #5123882
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robcorreia San Diego, CA(Zone 10b) Jun 18, 2008

Scary! yuk!

Post #5123981
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fleur_guy Parma, OH(Zone 5b) Jun 19, 2008

CJ & Rob
Thanks guys for your replies. The article CJ referred me to sounds pretty
convincing that the culprit might be lacebugs. This is on property that's
50 miles from me and I was trying to go back with an antidote in hand.
Seems as though part of the problem might be air circulation as this is
a large shrub that's located close to all it's neighbors. Spraying the
undersides of the leaves will be easier said than done. It is such a
beautiful plant in the spring, I hope I can nip the problem in the bud.
No pun intended. Will update with any news good or bad.

Post #5125601
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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 24, 2008

Imidacloprid, which is the active chemical in Bayer Advanced Lawn Complete Insect Killer and Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control can be used as a drench. It is systemic and long lasting.

Post #5154247
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