This week’s blog was written by Sierra R., a Bass alumni. This summer Sierra returned to the Wildlife Leadership academy as an Assistant Team Leader to continue to learn about the environment and the many career fields available. Sierra’s hobbies include hiking, nature journaling, Girl Scouts, and theater.
One day in August as I was hiking a nearby trail a small white dot caught my eye. As I got closer I realized that dot was actually a small white insect covered in a fluffy” tutu” of hairs, seemingly floating through the air. That was my first encounter with a wooly aphid, a fluffy “fairy” insect in the Aphididea family. It’s important to note that the term woolly aphid is an umbrella term for a variety of aphids which all share the same white fluffy characteristic. They are also not to be confused with the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like insect wreaking havoc on eastern hemlock populations.
Tree branch covered with woolly aphids
Winged woolly aphid with a “tutu“
Small and usually unnoticeable, the woolly aphid is not given much attention until a mass of them in their flightless nymph stage has caught the attention of a worried gardener. Although these aphids are indeed sap-sucking, they usually cause little lasting damage to their host tree. Depending on the specific species of woolly aphid, they may live off of alder, maple, ash, and birch.
Up close of woolly aphid
Their most defining characteristic is arguably their white fluffy “tutu” which gives them a fairy-like appearance. This white fluff covering their body is made of small waxy fibers. The small fibers serve to help keep the aphids hydrated as well as deter predators from ingesting them, especially when in the nymph phase of their lives. Catching the sight of a woolly aphid in flight is truly a magical experience. Keep an eye out in the summer you may find one floating around.
The two of the photos used in this blog were sourced from the internet. They can be found here and here. The remaining photo belongs to the author.
Nature’s Fairies
Posted: February 1, 2022 by Katie Mace
This week’s blog was written by Sierra R., a Bass alumni. This summer Sierra returned to the Wildlife Leadership academy as an Assistant Team Leader to continue to learn about the environment and the many career fields available. Sierra’s hobbies include hiking, nature journaling, Girl Scouts, and theater.
One day in August as I was hiking a nearby trail a small white dot caught my eye. As I got closer I realized that dot was actually a small white insect covered in a fluffy” tutu” of hairs, seemingly floating through the air. That was my first encounter with a wooly aphid, a fluffy “fairy” insect in the Aphididea family. It’s important to note that the term woolly aphid is an umbrella term for a variety of aphids which all share the same white fluffy characteristic. They are also not to be confused with the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like insect wreaking havoc on eastern hemlock populations.
Small and usually unnoticeable, the woolly aphid is not given much attention until a mass of them in their flightless nymph stage has caught the attention of a worried gardener. Although these aphids are indeed sap-sucking, they usually cause little lasting damage to their host tree. Depending on the specific species of woolly aphid, they may live off of alder, maple, ash, and birch.
Their most defining characteristic is arguably their white fluffy “tutu” which gives them a fairy-like appearance. This white fluff covering their body is made of small waxy fibers. The small fibers serve to help keep the aphids hydrated as well as deter predators from ingesting them, especially when in the nymph phase of their lives. Catching the sight of a woolly aphid in flight is truly a magical experience. Keep an eye out in the summer you may find one floating around.
The two of the photos used in this blog were sourced from the internet. They can be found here and here. The remaining photo belongs to the author.
Category: Youth Blog Tags: featured, insects, nature observation