There are a variety of things that "Bug" plants. This list will be updated as time provides.

Plant bugs and lacebugs use their sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap.
Damage ranges from many small white spots on the leaves to distortion or
destruction of plant tissue, depending on the pest and host plant. Some feed on
many different types of plants while others feed only on a narrow range or single
species.
Adults fly readily and are often gone before symptoms appear. Their injury is often
light to moderate and widely distributed. In contrast, the immature or nymphal
stages are wingless and can move only by walking. Injury builds slowly but can
become very intense as the insects near maturity. In addition to the feeding
damage, white cast skins and tarry waste specks may be seen when nymphs have
been present for a long time. The adult and nymphal stages of the same species
can look very different, which can confuse identification.


COMMON SPECIES

Plant Bugs
Fourlined plant bugs feed on many herbaceous and woody ornamentals including
currant, rose, forsythia, sumac, and viburnum. The nymphs are bright red or yellow,
adults is yellow to yellowgreen. Both stages have four distinct black lines running
the length of the body, hence their name.
This plant bug can be very destructive, especially to herbs and mint. It feeds first on
the upper, tender foliage leaving distinct redbrown spots. These spots, the plant's
reaction to enzymes injected into the leaf by the insect, can range from white to
almost black depending on the host. Feeding by large numbers of plant bugs can
produce large brown blotches and/or leaf distortion.
Females cut slits into the host plant and lay six to eight eggs inside. There is one
generation a year. It occurs during a six-week period from late May through June.
Honeylocust plant bugs, are 3/16" long light green insects that cause honeylocust
and black locust foliage to become discolored, stunted, or deformed. These insects
do their damage early in the spring but the symptoms persist through the season.
Severe infestation can even cause twig dieback. Adults occur from late May to early
July. There is one generation occurs per year, eggs are laid in the woody tissue and
overwinter there. On problem trees, watch carefully for signs of activity in the spring.
Examine terminal foliage for presence of the insects. Treat when leaves first open
with Insecticidal Soap, Dursban, Malathion, Sevin, or Tempo.
The tarnished plant bug overwinters as an adult and becomes active when leaves
first begin to form. This insect feeds on weeds, vegetables, fruit, flowers, shrubs,
and trees. There are several generations each year. Adults, which have a distinct
yellow "Y" on their backs, are good fliers and move about easily. Symptoms
produced vary among the different hosts.

Lacebugs
Adult lacebugs are 1/8" to 3/16" long insects with clear, ornate, lacy wings.
Nymphs are spiny and wingless. Feeding results in spotted leaves and dark,
varnish-like excrement on the under sides. With broadleaved evergreens it is doubly
important to prevent damage because the foliage will retain the ugly injury and be
less functional for more than one year.
Most lacebugs spend the winter as eggs that hatch in early spring. There may be
several generations during a season. With multi-generation species, numbers early
in the season are so small that feeding symptoms may not be noticed. Populations
peak in late summer and results of their feeding can make plants unsightly.
Azalea lacebugs are about 1/8" long with light brown bodies. They prefer evergreen
varieties but attack deciduous varieties and mountain laurel. Sap removal by
adults and nymphs causes a spotting visible on the upper leaves. In heavy
infestations, leaves may be white an drop prematurely. Spots of their tarry
excrement build up on the under sides of the leaves.
The lacy wings of the adults have dark brown to black markings, nymphs are black
and spiny. Populations are greatest in mid- to late summer as the second
generation bugs appear.
Sycamore lacebugs have the same general life cycle as the azalea lacebug. In
addition to symptoms on the foliage, the insects may fall from the trees onto people
below. Attempts by lacebugs to probe can result in a "bite" sensation which can be
very annoying, especially when lacebug are at their peak. Some people may have a
slight reaction to the bite but the insects are not a health threat.

CONTROL
Repeated treatments may be needed to control these pests effectively. Insecticides
such as Insecticidal Soap, Summer Horticultural Oils, Dursban, Malathion, Orthene,
Sevin may be used depending on the species or cultivar. Always read
product labels carefully before purchase. Look for information on phytotoxicity that can
occur on sensitive plants or under some environmental conditions.
Check for infestations so that a treatment can be applied before the plants are
disfigured by the pest. Thorough treatment of the undersides of the leaves is
needed for best results.

CAUTION!
Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in
Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state
or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official
before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.

Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!