What's eating my encore azalea 'autumn twist'?

Encore Azalea 'Autumn Twist' faces the same key threats as all evergreen azaleas: lace bugs bleach foliage from the underside, azalea caterpillars strip whole branches rapidly in late summer, and rhododendron whitefly colonizes leaf undersides. Spider mites worsen under heat stress. Act fast on lace bugs — they are the most persistent seasonal problem on reblooming azaleas.

Upper leaf surface becomes pale, stippled, and bleached; underside shows brownish varnish-like droppings Spray insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to leaf undersides in spring at first flush hatch. Repeat in 10–14 days. Plant in light shade — full sun worsens lace bug pressure.

Entire branches defoliated quickly; young larvae feed in clusters on leaf margins before dispersing Hand-pick caterpillar clusters when small. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad spray while larvae are still small (early instar).

White pupal scales on leaf undersides; adults fly up when plant is disturbed; sooty mold on upper surfaces Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to undersides of leaves. Repeat at 7-day intervals for 3 applications.

Fine pale stippling across leaf surfaces; fine webbing in leaf axils; worst in hot, dry summers Mist foliage and apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to leaf undersides; repeat twice at 7-day intervals.