Woolly aphid “fairy fly”

Aug 27, 13 • UncategorizedComments Off on Woolly aphid “fairy fly”

wooly aphid This delicate little creature is a woolly aphid in the subfamily Eriosomatinae (a Greek name that translates as “wool” + “body”). Often called “fairy flies”, these aphid-relatives are covered in white, waxy filaments that help camouflage them from predators and allow them to catch the wind and drift from primary to secondary host plants. Though many species of woolly aphid exist, one common species is the woolly apple aphid, a native of North America that uses apples and hawthorns as hosts. I found this fluffy little lady floating through a playground with a handful of her sisters. She graciously sat still for a few minutes so I could snap about a dozen images of her. Such a pretty little thing!

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