Bug FAQOak lace bug
Corythucha arcuata · Order: Hemiptera · Family: Tingidae
Also called: oak leaf bug
Source: Wikipedia
The oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata) is a true bug that feeds on oak leaves and can create large infestations that harm the trees. It is native to the New World, was first seen in Europe in 2000, and spreads quickly with several overlapping generations each year.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Large infestations on oak species cause considerable damage and can lead to long-term decline or death of the trees.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
Control prospects are poor, and the bug is expected to keep spreading across Europe unless effective measures are found. A potential egg-parasitoid wasp from its native range exists, but no predators or parasites are known in Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults overwinter and the species produces several overlapping generations each year. In the Mid-Atlantic U.S., three generations occur; adults appear after about 159 growing-degree days and the first eggs hatch after about 378 growing-degree days.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults first appear after roughly 159 growing-degree days.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It originates from the New World.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 35 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Kansas, Oregon, Illinois, Mississippi, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Does the oak lace bug damage my oak tree?
Yes, it feeds on oak leaves and large infestations can seriously harm the tree’s health and survival.
Source: Wikipedia
Can I control the oak lace bug in my garden?
Control is difficult; few natural enemies are present in Europe and current methods have limited success.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Tingidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corythucha_arcuata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.