Tingidae (weed bioagents)
Author(s): Sarah McCaffrey, Museum Victoria
Source: PaDIL
Tingidae (weed bioagents) - (lace bugs on weeds)
The lace-bugs form a large family of plant-feeding bugs (around 2,000 species) and are widely distributed. Several species are important plant pests, however, a number of species are specialized on weeds and are considered useful biological control agents like the lantana lace bug, Teleonemia scrupulosa.
The members can be easily recognized by the lace-like ornamentations on the pronotum and wings. The pronotum extends backwards, covering the scutellum, and often has additional outgrows and structures, sometimes resembling those of the Membracidae.
For plant pests see Tingidae (plant pests).
The following genera and individual species are currently entered as weed bioagents under this family:
