Rosy Apple Aphid vs Cave Cixiid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rosy Apple Aphid | Cave Cixiid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dysaphis plantaginea | Oliarus polyphemus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aphididae | Cixiidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Caves |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Western Asia | Hawaii, Big Island |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Rosy Apple Aphid
A purplish-gray aphid covered in a dusky waxy bloom that causes severe leaf curling and fruit deformation on apple trees. It is considered the most damaging aphid pest of apples.
Did You Know?
Even small colonies in spring can cause 'aphid apples' - stunted, misshapen fruit with a characteristic bumpy surface that makes them unmarketable.
Cave Cixiid
A remarkable cave-adapted planthopper from Hawaiian lava tubes that has lost its eyes and wings. Its body is pale and depigmented, adapted to complete darkness.
Did You Know?
This eyeless cave-dwelling planthopper was one of the first species used to study speciation in cave systems, with different populations in separate lava tubes diverging into distinct species.