Ruddy Barklouse vs Horned Aphid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ruddy Barklouse Horned Aphid
Scientific Name Elipsocus hyalinus Tuberaphis styraci
Order Psocoptera Hemiptera
Family Elipsocidae Hormaphididae
Size 2-3 mm 1-2.5 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Europe Japan, East Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Ruddy Barklouse

A delicate bark louse with translucent wings found in European forests. It lives on lichens and algae growing on tree trunks.

💡

Did You Know?

Its nearly transparent wings make it almost invisible when resting on pale lichen.

Horned Aphid

A social aphid from East Asia that forms colonies defended by sterile soldier nymphs with horned heads. They live on styrax trees and produce a single soldier caste.

💡

Did You Know?

Soldiers stab intruders with their sharp horns and inject a toxic secretion, dying in the process like a honeybee's suicide sting.