Identification
The adults are about 1/8th inch (3 mm) long. The wings are clear with brown markings and a sculptured lace-like pattern (photo D). The young adults are all white with the lace-like pattern (photo A). The larvae are tan and brown and spiky and are about half the size of the adults (photo B).
These bugs are common on oak leaves and can be seen on oak leaves in late summer. The photographs presented here were taken at Camp Brewster, Fontenelle Forest on Bur Oak leaves in early September.
There are 155 species of Lace Bugs in 23 genera in North America. Adults overwinter in bark crevices in trees. In spring they attach their eggs to the underside of leaves. The egg to adult cycle is complete in 30 to 45 days. Upon hatching, the nymphs begin feeding on the underside of a leaf. In summer all active stages feed together on the same leaves (photo C).
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