It is really hard to diagnose these things. I appreciate all the help and links that have been extremely helpful. I may post some pictures tonight. I don't think my thatch is as bad as I thought but I have been reading that a dethatch may help. they are definitely white webs in and under the thatch but I have not seen a single worm or grub or anything. I have seen a flurry of moths at one point as I mentioned early. I am partly wondering if the grass is drying out and fighting dormancy. The backyard looks a lot better more green. The thing that gets me is that there is no spots it's a noticeable discoloration and dryness in. the entire lawn. After my last application I was expecting a nice green up. I refuse to put down an insecticide if I don't need it. I've read multiple sites stating that BT is a viable option for the webworm.

"they seldom do really great harm...." Unless of course, their damage removes so much chlorophyll that the leaves CAN'T do what they are supposed to do. A large population of these insects can also result in the loss of other plant juices in large quantities. I've seen this occur on azaleas, pyracantha, and lantana, just to mention three of the common hosts of lacebugs. Such damage is common and not in the best interest of the plant to ignore. OF COURSE, measures should be taken to restore the plant to a healthier status by controlling the pest. There can be up to 5 generations per year in a warm climate!! But I agree with Jean, the images don't really indicate lacebug damage, though that stippling could make one think so. Here's a question: what does the UNDERside of those affected leaves look like? The bottom of lacebug infested leaves will always be covered with dark fecal matter and the tar-like spots which cover their egg clusters. Very dirty. Is that what you see? Here is a link that might be useful:

I'm guessing that your description just doesn't suggest anything to any of us, sorry. One of those times when images would be helpful. A serious whitefly infestation is a most difficult thing to deal with, especially if it is community wide, as you suggest. Some gardeners like the sticky traps, but they can also catch beneficial insects and animals, too. I don't like them and won't use them....unless in a greenhouse.

I have searched the web, and can't find anything quite like what I have. First, I noticed a couple of weeks ago black spots on the lower leaves of a couple of my tomato plants (Cherokee Purple). I thought this was a fungal problem and sprayed with copper fungicide, but it has only gotten worse. A few days later, I noticed drooping blossoms. I thought this might be water-related, as we have had weird weather here in N CA lately, and my watering has been eratic, depending on climate (overcast some days, a little light rain one or two days, very hot some days). So, I stuck my finger in soil near every plant -- I have twelve tomatoes in one bed and another 4 in another bed, plus other veggies, flowers, etc., and tried to adjust accordingly. Some plants seemed damp enough, others dry. A few days ago, I noticed the formerly droopy flowers now are falling off at the stem a centimeter or so behind the flower. There is a bump on the stem on the droopy ones, and others have a brown, narrow,dried-up spot on the stem where the bump was and they fall off when touched. Like something has squeezed the stems. Not just behind the flower, but a centimeter or so below it. There is a little green stem still attached to the flowers. So, I inspected more closely and found tiny black bugs under some of the leaves. A few of the bugs are brownish or reddish, but most are black. There are also some white dots which are likely eggs. The bugs have no wings as far as I can tell, and 6 legs. One body section, like a beetle. I didn't find any on or near the flowers, though, only on leaves and a few on the main stems (not flower stems). I sprayed with insecticidal soap (hope this doesn't kill the bees), but would like to know exactly what I am dealing with, or if I am dealing with more than one problem. Oh, some of the leaves with the worst infestations did have brown spots. My other veggies seem healthy, though I do have some yellow edges on the new leaves of my cucumbers. Didn't find any bugs there, though, and blooms seem healthy. All the tomato plants are infected, though one bed is worse than the other. They are all heirloom tomatoes of different varieties. The plants with the largest infestations also have spiders nearby (I have _lots_ of spiders in my garden), but I don't think they are helping much. I tried to avoid them when I sprayed, but couldn't avoid them entirely. Was insecticidal soap the right thing? Does anyone know what this is? My poor Cherokee Purples are really looking bad -- thin with few leaves, many of those brown or yellow, few blooms.