Stephanitis takeyai

Taxobox | name = Andromeda lace bug


image_width = 220px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Hemiptera
subordo = Heteroptera
infraordo = Cimicomorpha
familia = Tingidae
genus = "Stephanitis"
species = "S. takeyai"
binomial = "Stephanitis takeyai"
binomial_authority = Drake & Maa, 1955The andromeda lace bug ("Stephanitis takeyai") is a pest insect on plants of the genus "Pieris", especially "Pieris japonica", the Japanese andromeda. It originated in Japan with its host plant but has since been introduced to other areas of the globe. At least one "Pieris" species, "Pieris floribunda", is resistant to the bug.

The andromeda lace bug is about 3 millimeters in length. It has a characteristic rounded pronotum, lacy black and white wings, and shiny gold highlighting.

The bug produces mottling on the leaves of the plant, and heavy infestations can cause the leaves to drop in large numbers, stunting the plant's growth. Both nymph and adult forms damage the leaves by piercing them to suck the juices, and leave dark frass on the undersides of the leaves. Damage is worst on plants that grow in full sun.

References

* [http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/lace_bugs_evergreen.htm Lace bugs on evergreens]
* [http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/piercing_sucking/andromeda_lacebug.html Andromeda fact sheet]
* Greenwood, P. et al. (2000). "The American Horticultural Society: Pests and Diseases". New York: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0-7894-5074-7