Woolly Alder Aphid Prociphilus tessellatus (Fitch, 1851)    
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Arthropoda   >   Class Insecta   >   Order Hemiptera   >   Family Aphididae   >   Genus Prociphilus   

Status:

Woolly Alder Aphids occur east of the Mississippi River.

Description:

These aphids get their name from the fluffy, white wax on their abdomens. They have two alternate hosts: Silver Maple and alder (Alnus spp.). Winged adults lay their eggs in the crevices of Silver Maples, and the young feed on the maple leaves. Winged adults then fly to alder trees and form large colonies. The members of a colony feed on the sap of the alder leaves and twigs, where their fuzzy white appearance makes them noticeable in late summer and fall. Their reproductive cycle is quite complex.

Relationships:

Ants commonly tend, or guard, the aphids, feeding on the aphids' sugary excretions.

There are 21 records in the project database.

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Woolly Alder Aphids being guarded by Carpenter Ants in Howard Co., Maryland (9/2/2013). Photo by Richard Orr. (MBP list)

Woolly Alder Aphids in Allegany Co., Maryland (9/29/2014). Photo by Kimberly Booth. (MBP list)

Woolly Alder Aphids with attending ants in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/14/2013). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Woolly Alder Aphids in Worcester Co., Maryland (12/13/2015). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

Woolly Alder Aphids in Garrett Co., Maryland (9/21/2014). Photo by Kimberly Booth. (MBP list)

Woolly Alder Aphids in Dorchester Co., Maryland (5/16/2015). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

Woolly Alder Aphid in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/8/2022). (c) Matthew Beziat, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Matthew Beziat. (MBP list)

Woolly Alder Aphid in Calvert Co., Maryland (10/8/2023). (c) Matthew Beziat, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Matthew Beziat. (MBP list)


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