The azalea is one of the most popular flowering shrubs in the landscape. Each year more than 78 million azalea plants are grown in the Southeast. However, these shrubs, like most cultivated plants, are subject to attack by insect pests. The principal insects that attack azaleas in the Southeast are azalea bark scales, azalea leafminers, lace bugs, whiteflies, peony scales, thrips, and leafeating caterpillars and beetles. To this list of insects can be added several species of mites. Though they are not insects, they may occasionally be troublesome.

KEY TO COMMON AND IMPORTANT AZALEA PESTS

1. Azalea bark scale—Infested azaleas usually appear chlorotic; the bushes are often covered with a black fungus; and white cottony or matted waxy, threadlike masses may be found in crotches and on twigs.

2. Azalea caterpillar—The plant is defoliated or has "chewedup" younger leaves. The length of the caterpillar varies from about 10 mm (reddish to brownish black with white and yellow stripes) to about 51 mm (black with white or yellow stripes and red head) .

3. Azalea lace bug—The upper surfaces of the leaves are discolored in spots (mottled); the under surfaces are often dotted with "fly specks" (excrement). Also on the under surfaces of leaves are adult insects (3 mm long with brown and black markings on lacelike wings) and nymphs (small, dark, and spiny).

4. Azalea leafminer (leafroller)—Brown blisters appear on leaf tips, and margins of leaves are often curled up. The small, yellow caterpillar causing the blisters is not visible because it feeds between the two leaf surfaces.