Woolly Aphid
Scientific Name: Eriosomatinae (Subfamily)
Order & Family: Hemiptera (Order), Aphididae (Family)
Size: Approximately 1-3 mm in length, but they appear larger due to their waxy covering.
Natural Habitat
Typically found on trees and shrubs in temperate regions. Favorites include apple trees, elm trees, hawthorn, and sometimes maple or ash.
Diet & Feeding
Sap-suckers that feed on the plant fluids from leaves, twigs, branches, roots, and sometimes fruit of their host trees.
Behavior Patterns
They secrete a waxy, white, cotton-like substance from special glands on their bodies for protection against predators and desiccation. They often congregate in large colonies, creating what looks like white fuzz or mold on tree branches.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause cosmetic damage to trees, such as galls or cankers (especially on apple trees), and honeydew secretion can lead to sooty mold growth. Benefits: They serve as a food source for predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.
Identified on: 2/10/2026