Lace bug
Stephanitis sp. (likely Stephanitis pyrioides or similar)
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Tingidae
- Size
- 2mm to 8mm in length
Natural Habitat
Typically found on the undersides of leaves of various host plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, oaks, or sycamores.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant juices (sap) from the undersides of leaves.
Behavior Patterns
They are known for their distinctive rectangular or oval shape and lace-like wings. They aggregate on the underside of foliage, often leaving behind dark varnish-like spots of excrement. They undergo simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
They are considered garden pests as heavy infestations can cause yellowing (stippling) or bleaching of leaves, though they are generally harmless to humans. They provide a food source for predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings.