Woolly Aphid

Natural Habitat

Commonly found on the leaves, buds, and bark of host plants such as apples, ash, elm, or beech trees; often found in garden or orchard settings.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous. They feed on plant sap (phloem) by piercing plant tissues with their mouthparts.

Behavior Patterns

They produce a white, waxy, cotton-like covering for protection from predators and desiccation. They are most active in late spring and summer and often live in dense colonies. They excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered garden pests as they can cause leaf curling, stunted growth, and galls on plants. The honeydew they produce can lead to sooty mold growth. They are not harmful to humans and serve as a food source for beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.

Identified on: 4/4/2026