Bug Identifier
Woolly Aphid
Community identification

Woolly Aphid

Eriosomatinae (subfamily)

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae
Size
2 to 4 millimeters (approximately 0.08 to 0.16 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.