Balsam Woolly Adelgid vs Madagascar Spittle Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Balsam Woolly Adelgid Madagascar Spittle Bug
Scientific Name Adelges piceae Bourgoinrana madagascariensis
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Adelgidae Cercopidae
Size 0.5-1 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Forests Meadows
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Madagascar
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Balsam Woolly Adelgid

An invasive European adelgid that kills fir trees in North America. Its feeding causes abnormal wood formation called rotholz.

💡

Did You Know?

It nearly eliminated Fraser fir from the highest peaks of the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Madagascar Spittle Bug

A small, dark planthopper that produces frothy spittle masses on plant stems as a nymph. Adults are dark brown to black with subtle banded markings on the wings.

💡

Did You Know?

Nymphs surround themselves with a mass of frothy bubbles made from excreted xylem fluid, which protects them from desiccation and predators.