What's eating my japanese pieris?

Japanese Pieris is most severely affected by Pieris lacebug, which bleaches the foliage to a grey-silver and is the plant's signature pest. Vine weevil is a close second threat, destroying roots. Rhododendron leafhopper can also feed on Pieris. Established plants rarely succumb unless lacebug or root damage goes uncontrolled.

Distinctive pale grey-white speckling (stippling) covers the entire upper leaf surface, turning foliage from deep green to bleached silver; black excrement dots mark the leaf underside. Plant in partial shade — lacebug is far worse on sun-exposed specimens. Spray the underside of leaves thoroughly with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or a systemic insecticide (e.g., acetamiprid) in late spring and again in midsummer.

Notched leaf margins from adult beetles; larvae destroy the root system, causing sudden wilting and plant collapse. Apply pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in August–September. Use imidacloprid drench in containers. Inspect roots when repotting and remove any larvae.

Adults cause minor leaf spotting; more importantly they can transmit Bud Blast fungal disease, turning buds black before they open. Remove and bin blackened buds. Spray adults with pyrethrum on foliage in late summer to reduce the population before egg-laying.