Arctic Aphid vs Spotted Lanternfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Aphid | Spotted Lanternfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum | Lycorma delicatula |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aphididae | Fulgoridae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 25 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Svalbard, Arctic Scandinavia, Greenland | Asia, North America (invasive) |
| 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.
Spotted Lanternfly
A colorful invasive planthopper from China threatening vineyards, orchards, and hardwood forests in North America. Adults have striking red hindwings revealed in flight.
Did You Know?
Spotted lanternflies are such a threat that multiple US states have quarantine zones — citizens are legally instructed to kill any lanternfly they see on sight.