Bug Identifier
Aphid
Community identification

Aphid

Aphidoidea

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Aphididae
Size
1 to 10 millimeters
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.