Hemlock Woolly Adelgid vs Silky Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Silky Lacewing
Scientific Name Adelges tsugae Psychopsis illidgei
Order Hemiptera Neuroptera
Family Adelgidae Psychopsidae
Size 0.8-1.5 mm 30-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Omnivores
Regions Asia, North America Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

A devastating invasive pest of eastern hemlock in North America, originally from East Asia. It feeds at the base of needles, killing branches and eventually the tree.

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Did You Know?

It has killed millions of hemlocks from Georgia to Maine since its detection in the 1950s.

Silky Lacewing

A beautiful Australian lacewing with large, rounded wings covered in intricate patterns resembling tree bark. It rests with wings flat against surfaces for camouflage.

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Did You Know?

Silky lacewings belong to an ancient family with fossils dating back to the Jurassic period, over 160 million years ago.