Frosted Pine Aphid vs Grain Aphid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Frosted Pine Aphid Grain Aphid
Scientific Name Cinara pilicornis Sitobion avenae
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Aphididae Aphididae
Size 3-5 mm 1.5-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Fungus Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, introduced to other temperate regions Europe, Asia, Africa, South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Frosted Pine Aphid

A large brown aphid covered in waxy powder that forms colonies on spruce twigs. It produces copious honeydew that supports sooty mold growth on needles.

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Did You Know?

Beekeepers value it because its honeydew production enables bees to make prized forest honey.

Grain Aphid

A major pest of cereal crops in Europe and other temperate regions. It feeds on ears and leaves, reducing grain quality and transmitting barley yellow dwarf virus.

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Did You Know?

Feeding on wheat ears during grain fill can reduce thousand-kernel weight by up to 20%.