Arctic Aphid vs Solomon's Seal Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Aphid | Solomon's Seal Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum | Phymatocera aterrima |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Aphididae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Svalbard, Arctic Scandinavia, Greenland | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Aphid
A small, pale green aphid that is one of the most northerly herbivorous insects on Earth. It feeds on the sap of Dryas octopetala and other Arctic plants. Populations are entirely parthenogenetic in the High Arctic.
Did You Know?
This aphid reproduces entirely without mating in the Arctic, producing live young that are clones of the mother.
Solomon's Seal Sawfly
A small, entirely black sawfly whose grayish-white larvae with black heads are highly destructive to Solomon's seal plants. Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward.
Did You Know?
The larvae are so well camouflaged against the undersides of Solomon's seal leaves that gardeners often only notice them after severe damage is done.