Bug Identifier
Lace Bug Nymph (Trash Carrier)
Community identification

Lace Bug Nymph (Trash Carrier)

Corythucha species

Order & Family
Hemiptera, Tingidae
Size
2mm to 4mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on the undersides of leaves of various trees and shrubs, such as Sycamore, Azalea, and Oak.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap from the undersides of leaves.

Behavior Patterns

Nymphs often carry their own cast skins (exuviae) and fecal matter on their backs as a form of camouflage and protection from predators; they undergo five instars before reaching adulthood.

Risks & Benefits

They can cause 'stippling' or chlorosis on plant leaves, leading to aesthetic damage or premature leaf drop; they pose no risk to humans but are considered garden and agricultural pests.