What feeding method is used by the lace bug?

The lace bug employs a piercing-sucking feeding method, which is characteristic of many hemipteran insects. This method involves the use of specialized mouthparts that allow the lace bug to penetrate plant tissues and extract sap, primarily from leaves. The process of piercing-sucking is efficient for extracting nutrients directly from the plant's vascular system without causing significant physical damage to the plant, although it can lead to various forms of stress or damage over time.

This feeding strategy is particularly effective for lace bugs as they thrive on the plant sap, which provides the necessary nutrients they need to grow and reproduce. Their feeding can sometimes result in visible damage to the leaves, such as stippling or yellowing, indicating their presence and activity.