Community identification
Lace Bug
Family Tingidae (multiple species possible)
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Tingidae
- Size
- 2 to 8 mm (approx. 1/8 to 1/3 inch)
Natural Habitat
Found on the underside of deciduous tree leaves, shrubs, and ornamental plants.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap/juices from leaves.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit hemimetabolous metamorphosis. They are slow-moving and often cluster in groups on the underside of host leaves, leaving behind dark spots of excrement.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans. They are considered agricultural and garden pests as heavy infestations can cause yellowing (stippling) or silvering of leaves, potentially weakening the plant.