The hawthorn lace bug (Corythucha cydoniae), commonly known as the Mayflower bug, is a small insect that can significantly affect the health and appearance of various ornamental plants. Part of the lace bug family (Tingidae), they are named for their distinctive appearance. While not typically fatal, heavy infestations can diminish a plant’s appearance and vigor.
Identifying the Mayflower Bug
Adult Mayflower bugs are small, 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3-6 mm) long. They have delicate, flattened bodies and distinctive, lace-like wings, often translucent or pale with a mottled mix of creamy white and light brown.
Nymphs, the immature stage, are smaller, lack wings, and are oval, flat, darker, and often spiny. Both adults and nymphs congregate and feed on the undersides of leaves.
Host Plants and Damage
Mayflower bugs primarily infest plants in the Rosaceae family, including many common landscape plants. Their most frequent hosts are:
- Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
- Quince (Cydonia sp.)
- Flowering quince (Chaenomeles sp.)
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
- Apple (Malus spp.)
- Crabapple
- Pear (Pyrus sp.)
- Cotoneaster
- Mountain ash (Sorbus spp.)
- Firethorn (Pyracantha spp.)
They feed by extracting plant fluids from the undersides of leaves. This feeding causes tiny yellow or whitish spots, called stippling, on upper leaf surfaces. As populations grow, these spots merge, yellowing, bronzing, or bleaching leaves. Heavily infested leaves may also show premature leaf drop. Another sign is small, dark, tar-like fecal spots on the undersides of leaves, often along veins.
Life Cycle
Mayflower bugs overwinter as adults in protected locations like under bark or in leaf litter. In spring, adults become active as new leaves emerge, and females lay eggs. Eggs are laid in small groups on the undersides of leaves, sometimes partially inserted into tissue and covered with a brownish, varnish-like substance.
Eggs hatch into nymphs, which progress through five stages (instars) over several weeks. Their cast skins are often found clinging to foliage. The time from egg to adult can take about 30 days, depending on environmental conditions. They can have one to multiple generations per year, depending on climate.
Managing Mayflower Bugs
Effective management of Mayflower bugs involves both preventative measures and targeted control strategies. Maintaining overall plant health is important; well-watered plants that are not under stress are generally more resilient to pest infestations. Inspecting new plants before introducing them to your garden can also help prevent the spread of pests.
For control, a simple yet effective method is using a strong jet of water from a garden hose to dislodge nymphs and adults from the undersides of leaves. This mechanical removal can significantly reduce populations, especially during early infestations.
Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils are also effective options, as they work by smothering the insects upon direct contact. These products should be applied thoroughly to the undersides of leaves, and repeat applications may be necessary. Encouraging natural predators, such as lacewings, predatory mites, assassin bugs, and lady beetles, can also help manage Mayflower bug populations over time.
As a last resort for heavy infestations, targeted insecticides may be considered, but it is important to choose products labeled for lace bugs and the specific host plant, applying them carefully to minimize impact on beneficial insects.
Addressing Common Concerns
Mayflower bugs are not considered harmful to humans or pets. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. While they can cause significant cosmetic damage to plants, impacting their appearance and vigor, their impact is primarily confined to the plants they infest. Therefore, if you encounter Mayflower bugs in your garden, you can focus on plant health without concern for personal safety.