Whole-plant CO2 exchange measurements on azaleas injured by azalea lace bug (Heteroptea : Tingidae) feeding

Whole-plant gas exchange was measured continuously for 24 h on rooted cutti ngs of Girard's 'Pleasant White' azaleas. Azalea treatments were azalea lac e Lug, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott), feeding injury levels that averaged 6 , 13, or 31% leaf-area injury throughout the plant canopies. Gas exchange p arameters, including net photosynthesis, dark respiration, carbon use effic iency, and growth, were compared with undamaged control plants. Responses o f Girard's 'Pleasant White' azaleas suggested that azaleas were tolerant of lace bug feeding injury levels above the aesthetic threshold. Azalea toler ance can be incorporated into an integrated management plan to reduce chemi cal inputs into the urban landscape.