Woolly Aphid

Scientific Name: Eriosomatinae (subfamily)

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae

Size: 1 to 7 millimeters

Woolly Aphid

Natural Habitat

Found on various host plants including ash, alder, apple, maple, and beech trees in gardens and forests.

Diet & Feeding

Plant sap (phloem) extracted from tree leaves, buds, bark, and roots.

Behavior Patterns

They produce white, waxy strands for protection from predators and moisture loss. Some species exhibit a 'dancing' behavior by wagging their abdomens when disturbed.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans but can be a nuisance for gardeners by causing leaf curling, galls, and promoting the growth of sooty mold from their sticky honeydew secretions.

Identified on: 1/5/2026