General Description

Adult with two pairs of membranous wings, resembling a cicada. Young nymphs wingless and secrete a lattice-patterned sugary covering (lerp) that resembles a seashell or fan. Body up to 8 mm long.

Biology

Lace Lerps are strong fliers and feed on sap from trees. The young nymphs turn leaves red-purple as they feed, sometimes resulting in tree defoliation and dieback. The lerp cover provides protection from the weather, but does not prevent predation by birds and mammals.

Distribution

South-eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

On eucalypt trees.

More Information