Bug Identifier
Lace Bug
Community identification

Lace Bug

Family Tingidae

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 including azaleas, rhododendrons, and oaks.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

They are slow-moving and often complete their entire life cycle on a single host plant, laying eggs along the leaf midrib.

Risks & Benefits

They are significant garden pests that cause 'stippling' or chlorosis on leaves; while not harmful to humans, they can severely damage ornamental plants.