Do you want to control lace bugs using the biological control method?
Do you want to control lace bugs using low-risk (organic) insecticides?
Do you want to control lace bugs using synthetic insecticides?
Do you want to use residual, foliar sprays?
Natural enemies of lace bugs include parasitic wasps, predatory assassin bugs, lacewing larvae, lady beetles, jumping spiders, pirate bugs, and mites. These beneficial species may not appear in sufficient numbers until after lace bugs become abundant, but their preservation is an essential part of a long-term, integrated pest management program. To increase natural enemy abundance and reduce lace bug damage, grow a variety of flowering plant species and provide partial shade to shrub species that are not adapted to grow in full sun.
Contact insecticides that do not leave persistent, toxic residues include azadirachtin, insecticidal soap, narrow-range oil, neem oil, and pyrethrin products, which are often combined with the synergist piperonyl butoxide. These insecticides have low toxicity to people and pets and relatively little adverse impact on the populations of pollinators and natural enemies and the benefits they provide. To obtain adequate control, thoroughly wet the underside of infested leaves with spray beginning in spring when lace bug nymphs become abundant. To provide adequate control, the application may need to be repeated.
Foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides with residues that can persist for weeks are not recommended for lace bug control. Pesticides to avoid include carbamates, nonsystemic organophosphates, and pyrethroids. These are highly toxic to natural enemies and pollinators and can cause outbreaks of spider mites or other pests.
Systemic insecticides are absorbed by one plant part and moved to leaves or other plant parts. Systemic insecticides available for use against lace bugs include the neonicotinoids dinotefuran and imidacloprid, and the organophosphate acephate. When properly applied, one application may provide season-long control. Do not apply systemic insecticides to plants during flowering or shortly before flowering. Wait until after plants have completed their seasonal flowering unless the product's label directions say otherwise.
Grow plants that are well adapted to conditions at the site. Consider replacing plants that perform poorly or repeatedly experience unacceptable pest damage. Certain plant species growing in hot, sunny locations are more likely to be damaged by lace bugs. For example, azalea and toyon grown under partial shade experience less damage by lace bugs than when they are grown in locations more exposed to direct sunlight and higher temperatures. Provide adequate irrigation and otherwise provide plants with appropriate care.
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7428.html
Sreten null
Hi! I’m Sreten Filipović. I graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade, with a master's degree in Environmental Protection in Agricultural Systems. I’ve worked as a researcher at Finland's Natural Resources Institute (LUKE) on a project aimed at adapting south-western Finland to drought episodes. I founded a consulting agency in the field of environment and agriculture to help farmers who want to implement the principles of sustainability on their farms. I’m also a founding member of the nonprofit organization Ecogenesis from Belgrade whose main goal is non-formal education on the environment and ecology. In my spare time, I like to write blog posts about sustainability, the environment, animal farming, horticulture, and plant protection. I’ve also published several science-fiction short stories.
You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreten-filipovi%C4%87-515aa5158/
