Frosted Pine Aphid vs Sonoran Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Frosted Pine Aphid | Sonoran Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cinara pilicornis | Philotes sonorensis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Aphididae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 18-22 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, introduced to other temperate regions | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Beekeepers value it because its honeydew production enables bees to make prized forest honey.
Sonoran Blue
Tiny blue butterfly with orange and black hindwing spots. One of the earliest-flying butterflies of the year in the American West.
Did You Know?
Adults fly as early as February, when few other butterflies are active in their range.