The lace bug injures plants by sucking juices from the undersides of leaves. In some cases it first infests the tender foliage of the target plant in the spring. Damage can be seen into late spring or early summer. Should the undersides of leaves show a reddish orange discoloration, suspect this pest. Or if the undersides are spotted with brown excrement that looks like dots of varnish, it’s lacebugs. The upper side of the leaf is marked by numerous whitish specks like those due to leafhoppers and red spider mites on other plants. Or the top surfaces take on a mottled appearance much as if they had been sprinkled with white pepper. Injury is prominent when plants are in full sun, and the shrubs take on a yellow cast. Leaves on some plants may drop prematurely.
