Woolly Aphids and Gall-making Aphids

Eriosomatinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Superfamily: Aphidoidea
Family: Aphididae
Subfamily: Eriosomatinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eriosomatinae: /ˌɛri.əˌsoʊməˈtaɪniː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Ps galle by IN Madde. Used under a Public domain license.

Pemphigus spirothecae 20050831 503 part by Georg Slickers. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pemphigus bursarius on Lombardy Poplar Populus nigra var.italica (24940630097) by Len Worthington. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pemphigus bursarius, Wollige slawortelluis (1) by Rasbak. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pemphigus spirothecae 20050831 498 by Georg Slickers. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Beech Blight Aphids - Flickr - treegrow (3) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Eriosomatinae, or woolly aphids, are small sap-sucking insects that produce a protective waxy covering. They affect various plant species and can cause minor botanical damage and are vectors for plant diseases, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.

Physical Characteristics

Woolly aphids possess a filamentous waxy white covering that resembles cotton or wool. The adults are winged and can appear fluffy in flight, likened to 'flying mice'.

Identification Tips

They can be identified by their reduced or absent cornicles and the presence of a woolly white covering. Their nymphs often form large cottony masses on plant twigs for protection.

Habitat

Woolly aphids inhabit various plant species, typically alternating between woody primary hosts and herbaceous secondary hosts.

Distribution

Woolly aphids are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Diet

Woolly aphids are sap-sucking insects that feed on leaves, buds, bark, and roots of plants by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into plant tissue to withdraw sap.

Life Cycle

They alternate between host plants, laying overwintering eggs on woody primary hosts and completing their lifecycle on secondary herbaceous hosts.

Ecosystem Role

Woolly aphids are known to be vectors of plant diseases and can be involved in mutualistic relationships with ants due to their production of honeydew.

Economic Impact

They can cause botanical damage to ornamental plants and fruit trees and can spread plant diseases.

Evolution

Previously classified under the family Pemphigidae, the Eriosomatinae subfamily has been integrated into the Aphididae family.

Misconceptions

Woolly aphids are often considered a pest, but the damage they cause is usually minor and primarily affects plant aesthetics, not overall plant health.