Woolly Aphid

Deciduous trees such as elm, ash, and hawthorn; often found on branches, leaves, or roots.

Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap (phloem).

They secrete a white, waxy, cotton-like substance from their bodies for protection from predators and desiccation. Some fly in slow, drifting patterns resembling falling snow.

Generally harmless to humans but can be a nuisance pest for gardeners; large infestations can cause leaf curling, yellowing, and honeydew production which leads to sooty mold growth.