Seems to be a popular way to go these days with many stucco ceilings falling . This one has been falling around this building because the original contractor used only 7/8" staples when they should have been 1.25". We replaced 20 yards of ceiling last week using 1.25 in sharp points by grabbers in the expanded metal lath. And in the retrofit we are using 3" 5/16" hex head lag bolts with washers to secure the stucco to the ceiling.

guys please please please don't try to use 7/8" staples to hold up a stucco ceiling. Use 1.25" staples or screws in your lath.