Lace Bug

Natural Habitat

Found on the undersides of leaves on various host plants, including temperate or tropical trees and shrubs like oak, sycamore, and azalea.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of leaves, causing chlorotic or 'stippled' spots.

Behavior Patterns

They are relatively slow-moving and often go unnoticed until plant damage occurs. Adult lace bugs have characteristic lace-like wings; they often leave dark, varnish-like spots of excrement on the leaf underside.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered garden and agricultural pests because they can cause significant foliage damage and weaken plants. They do not bite or pose medical risks to humans.

Identified on: 3/6/2026