Oak lace bug

Natural Habitat

Deciduous forests and urban landscapes; specifically found on the undersides of oak leaves (Quercus species).

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they pierce leaf tissue with needle-like mouthparts to suck sap from the host plant.

Behavior Patterns

They exhibit hemimetabolous development (egg, nymph, adult). Adults are characterized by their lace-like, transparent wings. They often congregate in large groups on the undersides of leaves, leaving behind dark spots of excrement.

Risks & Benefits

They are a pest to trees, causing 'stippling' or yellowing of leaves and premature leaf drop. They can bite humans occasionally if they land on skin, causing a minor, itchy prick, but they do not transmit diseases.

Identified on: 12/26/2025