
Community identification
Woolly Aphid
Eriosomatinae
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera, Aphididae
- Size
- 1.5 mm to 3 mm
Natural Habitat
Found on the stems, leaves, and roots of various host plants and trees, often creating waxy secretions.
Diet & Feeding
Sap from plant phloem, which they extract using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Behavior Patterns
They secrete a white, waxy, wool-like substance that covers their bodies for protection against predators and harsh weather. They reproduce rapidly, often through parthenogenesis.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include damaging host plants by draining sap, distorting foliage, and causing galls. Benefits include serving as a food source for beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings.