Community identification
Lace Bug
Tingidae (family)
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Tingidae
- Size
- 2mm to 8mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found on the undersides of leaves of various trees and shrubs, including azaleas, oaks, and sycamores.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous insects that use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap from the foliage.
Behavior Patterns
They are often found in clusters on the undersides of leaves. They go through incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult). Many species are host-specific to certain plants.
Risks & Benefits
They are considered garden pests as their feeding causes stippling and yellowing of leaves. They pose no risk to humans or pets as they do not bite or sting.