lace bug

American

noun

any of several bugs of the family Tingidae, characterized by a lacy pattern of ridges on the head, thorax, and wings, and feeding on the leaves of oak, birch, sycamore, etc.

lace bug British

noun

a small bug of the family Tingidae, having a delicate pattern in the wing venation. They are plant feeders and include the thistle lace bugs ( Tingis cardui and T. ampliata ) and the rhododendron bug ( Stephanitis rhododendri )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lace bug

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Part of its collection was of lace bugs, which was preserved in no other museum.

From New York Times

If you’ve noticed that the leaves on these plants are becoming mottled and unattractive, there’s a good chance that your plant is under siege from Azalea lace bugs.

From Seattle Times

Azaleas growing in full sun are often plagued by sucking insects called lace bugs.

From Southern Living

Fairy lace bug, we are glad to make your acquaintance.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, the only lace bug that infested these plants was the rhododendron lace bug.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023