Azalea: Azalea bark scale categories: Azalea Azalea Insects Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-12 09:32 Azalea bark scale and sooty moldPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology The azalea bark scale is a soft scale resembling mealybugs. Red females cover themselves and their eggs with a white, waxy, protective coating. Cottony masses of the scales are often […]
Azalea: Azalea lace bug categories: Azalea Azalea Insects Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-12 09:53 Azalea lace bug damage and tar spots on azaleaPhoto by: J. Glass Biology Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) is a relatively new insect pest in the Pacific Northwest. Unlike rhododendron lace bug (S. rhododendri), azalea lace bug attacks both azaleas […]
Azalea: Azalea leafminer categories: Azalea Azalea Insects Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 09:36 Azalea leafminerPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology The azalea leafminer is a small yellowish caterpillar that grows to about 1/8 to 1/4″ long. Young larvae mine leaves, leaving blister like blotches that later turn brown. Older larvae roll and skeletonize leaves. Damaged leaves […]
Azalea: Obliquebanded leafroller categories: Azalea Azalea Insects Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 10:45 Azalea leafroller larval damage on flowersPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Obliquebanded leafrollers are usually found on the new growth. Their presence can be determined by rolled leaves held in place with webbing. The smooth green caterpillars, about 3/4″ long, can be […]
Azalea: Root weevils categories: Azalea Azalea Insects Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 11:35 Root weevil larval damagePhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Characteristic damage includes notching of leaf edges by adults and minor to severe root and bark damage by larvae. Azaleas generally have less severe leaf notching than rhododendrons but may be damaged or […]
Azalea: Spider mites categories: Azalea Azalea Insects Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 11:41 Spider mite webbingPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Spider mites cause mild to severe stippling (little specks or dots) on leaves. Usually yellowish or bronzish, stippling can, in severe cases, cause leaves to turn brown and drop. Fine webbing is often present, […]
Azalea: Cylindrocladium blight and root rot categories: Azalea Azalea Diseases Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 10:02 Nursery plants dying from Cylindrocladium root rotPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology This fungal disease may infect plants through the roots or stems and cause diverse symptoms. Leaf spots, cankers on stems, root rot, and/or sudden general wilting may […]
Azalea: Botrytis petal blight categories: Azalea Azalea Diseases Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 09:43 Botrytis shoot blightPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology Botrytis petal blight is a fungal disease typically found in early spring. Symptoms of infection include brown, water-soaked spots on the leaves, and masses of gray-brown spores which form on infected tissues. Botrytis […]
Azalea: Leaf and flower gall categories: Azalea Azalea Diseases Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 10:07 Azalea leaf and flower gallsPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology The leaf and flower gall fungus attacks expanding leaf and flower buds. Initially, the affected plant part shows a thickening and gradually assumes a fleshy appearance. Leaves may thicken into […]
Azalea: Leaf spot categories: Azalea Azalea Diseases Ornamentals Shrubs last review date: 2026-02-13 10:16 Rhododendron fungal leaf spotPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology Leaf spot or leaf scorch on azaleas is caused by a fungus. At first, dark red to brown spots appear on leaves in early summer. Later these spots turn lighter brown, while the […]