Bug Identifier
Lace Bug
Community identification

Lace Bug

Stephanitis pyrioides

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

Natural Habitat

Typically found on the underside of deciduous leaves, particularly azaleas, rhododendrons, and various hardwood trees in temperate climates.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous. They use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of plant leaves, specifically targeting the leaf mesophyll.

Behavior Patterns

They exhibit hemimetabolous development. Lace bugs are known for leaving dark, varnish-like fecal spots on the undersides of leaves and causing "stippling" (pale spots) on the top surface of the foliage.

Risks & Benefits

Primarily an aesthetic pest in gardens and landscapes. Heavy infestations can cause leaf drop and reduce plant vigor. They do not pose a direct physical risk to humans, though they are considered agricultural pests.