Bug Identifier
Woolly Aphid
Community identification

Woolly Aphid

Eriosomatinae

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae
Size
1 to 7 millimeters
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on various plants and trees, particularly fruit trees like apples, as well as ornamentals like beech and alder.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they pierce plant tissues and suck out the nutrient-rich sap.

Behavior Patterns

Known for producing a white, waxy, cotton-like covering for protection. They often form dense colonies and can fly to new host plants during specific life stages.

Risks & Benefits

Can be a pest to agriculture and gardening by weakening plants and secreting honeydew, which leads to sooty mold. They are largely harmless to humans and are a food source for beneficial insects like ladybugs.