Feeding results in spotted leaves and dark, varnish-like excrement on the under sides. With broadleaved evergreens it is doubly important to prevent damage because the foliage will retain the ugly injury and be less functional for more than one year. Most lacebugs spend the winter as eggs that hatch in early spring. There may be several generations during a season. With multi-generation species, numbers early in the season are so small that feeding symptoms may not be noticed.
Populations peak in late summer and results of their feeding can make plants unsightly.
They prefer evergreen varieties but attack deciduous varieties and mountain laurel. Sap removal by adults and nymphs causes a spotting visible on the upper leaves. In heavy infestations, leaves may be white an drop prematurely. Spots of their tarry excrement build up on the under sides of the leaves. The lacy wings of the adults have dark brown to black markings, nymphs are black and spiny.