
Community identification
Aphid
Aphidoidea
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Aphididae
- Size
- 1 to 10 millimeters
Natural Habitat
Found globally on a wide variety of host plants, including gardens, agricultural fields, and indoor houseplants.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous insects that feed on the sap of plants using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Behavior Patterns
Known for rapid asexual reproduction (parthenogenesis). Often found in dense clusters on the undersides of leaves or stems; some species are tended by ants for their honeydew.
Risks & Benefits
Major agricultural pests that cause plant stuntedness, leaf curling, and transmit plant viruses. They benefit ecosystems as a critical food source for ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.