Common Snakefly vs Woolly Apple Aphid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Snakefly | Woolly Apple Aphid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Raphidia notata | Eriosoma lanigerum |
| Order | Raphidioptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Raphidiidae | Aphididae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Predators | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe | Cosmopolitan in temperate regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Snakefly
A distinctive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax that gives it a snake-like appearance. It hunts aphids and other small insects on tree bark.
Did You Know?
Snakeflies can raise their elongated thorax and strike at prey in a manner reminiscent of a snake, hence their name.
Woolly Apple Aphid
An aphid covered in waxy white filaments that forms colonies on apple tree bark and roots. Heavy infestations cause gall-like swellings on branches and roots.
Did You Know?
It alternates between elm trees in spring and apple trees in summer across its complex life cycle.