
Community identification
Woolly Aphid
Eriosomatinae (subfamily)
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae
- Size
- 1 to 7 mm (including waxy filaments)
Natural Habitat
Gardens, forests, and orchards on host plants like apple, ash, beech, and hawthorn trees.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap from leaves, stems, or roots.
Behavior Patterns
They secrete white, waxy, cotton-like filaments for protection from predators and moisture; they are often found in clusters and can have complex life cycles involving different host plants.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause plant stress, leaf curling, or galls, and produce sticky honeydew that leads to sooty mold. Benefits: Serve as a food source for beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.