
Community identification
Woolly Aphid
Eriosomatinae (subfamily)
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae
- Size
- 2 to 4 millimeters (approximately 0.08 to 0.16 inches)
Natural Habitat
Commonly found on the leaves, stems, and bark of host plants such as apples, elms, and alders.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap (phloem) from host trees and shrubs.
Behavior Patterns
These insects are known for secreting a white, waxy, cotton-like substance that covers their bodies for protection. Many species have complex life cycles involving alternating between different host plants.
Risks & Benefits
They can be a nuisance and cause damage to plants and trees through heavy infestations or by spreading plant diseases. They are generally harmless to humans, and they provide a food source for beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings.