Bug Identifier
Lace Bug
Community identification

Lace Bug

Family Tingidae (various genus/species)

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Tingidae
Size
2 to 8 mm (0.08 to 0.3 inches) in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found globally on the undersides of leaves of various trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants where they feed and lay eggs.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous piercer-sucking feeders that consume the sap and cell contents of host plant leaves.

Behavior Patterns

They are known for their intricate, lace-like wing patterns. They often live in colonies on the underside of leaves and can cause 'stippling' or yellow spotting on foliage through their feeding habits.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans though they may occasionally bite if they land on skin. They are considered agricultural and garden pests because heavy infestations can weaken or disfigure ornamental plants and crops.