ARS | Publication request: The Effects of Stomate Size on Feeding Preference of Azalea Lace Bug (ALB), Stephanitis pyrioides, on Selected Cultivars of Evergreen Azalea

Submitted to: Ornamental Workshop on Diseases and Insects
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 24, 2008
Publication Date: September 24, 2008
Citation: Kirker, G.T., Boyd, D.W., Sampson, B.J., Pounders Jr, C.T., Spiers, J.M. 2008. The Effects of Stomate Size on Feeding Preference of Azalea Lace Bug (ALB), Stephanitis pyrioides, on Selected Cultivars of Evergreen Azalea. Ornamental Workshop on Diseases and Insects poster.

Technical Abstract: The azalea lace bug (ALB), Stepahnitis pyrioides, is an important pest of azaleas in both production nurseries and the home landscape. Thirty three commercially available cultivars were screened for ALB preference in both choice and no-choice feeding bioassays. The Encore Autumn series made up a majority of the cultivars evaulated. Rhodendron oldhammii cultivar 'Fourth of July' is the male seed parent of this plant series and is suspected to be resistant to ALB feeding. Results indicated that 'Fourth of July' is resistant to ALB feeding and varied levels of resistance are found in the offspring of 'Fourth of July'. Rankings of the evaluated cultivars were compiled and presented.