
Community identification
Woolly Aphid
Eriosomatinae
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae
- Size
- 1 to 7 millimeters
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.