Lace Bug
Family Tingidae (multiple genera/species)
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Tingidae
- Size
- 2 to 8 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found on the undersides of leaves of various trees and shrubs including azaleas, oaks, and sycamores.
Diet & Feeding
Lace bugs are herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap from the foliage, often causing stippling or yellowing of leaves.
Behavior Patterns
They are known for their slow movement and for living in colonies on the undersides of leaves. Their life cycle includes egg, nymphal, and adult stages, with several generations possible per year. Adults have distinctive lacy, net-like wing covers.
Risks & Benefits
They are considered garden pests as heavy infestations can damage ornamental plants and trees. They do not pose a direct health risk to humans, although they can occasionally land on people and provide a minor, harmless 'bite' out of curiosity or searching for moisture.