Insects - Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers - page 16

Order HEMIPTERA (true bugs)

Family TINGIDAE (lace bugs)

DESCRIPTION
Adult: 3 mm long; body blackish; wings transparent,
with a network of white veins, the fore wings with a
dark central patch; antennae brownish white, hairy and
with a slightly clubbed apex. Nymph: mainly black.

Flattened bugs, the pronotum and wings with a netted,
lace-like pattern; pronotum usually covering the
scutellum.

Corythucha ciliata (Say) ( 5-6 )
Platanus lace bug
An important North American pest of plane ( Platanus )
trees, especially oriental plane ( P. orientalis ). Since
1964, it has become established in much of central and
southern Europe, where it causes extensive damage to
both nursery and mature trees. The pest has been
introduced into Australia and Japan, and in 2006 was
found for the first time in Britain.

LIFE HISTORY
Adults overwinter under the bark of host trees, usually
congregating on the north-west side of the trunks. They
emerge in the spring and commence feeding on the new
foliage. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and
hatch shortly afterwards. Nymphs then feed and reach
maturity in late June or July. A second generation occurs
during the summer, producing adults from late August
onwards. These adults then enter hibernation. In
particularly favourable, more southerly districts, three
generations are reported annually.

DAMAGE
Infested foliage becomes discoloured. Heavily infested
leaves drop prematurely, and plant vigour is reduced.

5

Corythucha arcuata (Say)
Oak lace bug
This North American pest recently appeared in northern
Italy in 2000. It has since been found in southern
Switzerland and Turkey, and is considered at least a
potential threat elsewhere. In Italy, there are three
generations annually, and development from egg to
adult takes from four to six weeks. As in the case of the
previous species, adults form the overwintering stage.
Although associated mainly with oak ( Quercus ), the
pest has been reported on other plants, including
ornamental maple ( Acer ) and rose ( Rosa ).

5 Platanus lace bugs ( Corythucha ciliata ).

6

6 Platanus lace bug ( Corythucha ciliata ) damage to leaf of
Platanus .