much faster rate when C. bullita infestation is present. During the rainy season, less damage was observed and fewer lace bugs were present. This could be due to heavy rainfall dislodging lace bugs from the plants. Rainfall has been shown to affect the cochineal scale, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell), an important biological control agent of the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica (Linnaeus) Miller. Mortality of this homopteran increased with the increasing duration of rainfall (Moran et al. 1987). In conclusion, our observations of the infestation pattern and the survival of C. bullita on O. stamineus indicate that this lace bug has the potential to be a serious pest of this medicinal plant.