Torpedo Bug vs Frosted Pine Aphid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Torpedo Bug | Frosted Pine Aphid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Siphanta hebes | Cinara pilicornis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Flatidae | Aphididae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Farmland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Australia, Pacific Islands, Hawaii (invasive) | Europe, introduced to other temperate regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Torpedo Bug
A bright green flatid planthopper with an elongated torpedo-shaped body profile when wings are folded. It is native to Australia and has been introduced to various Pacific islands.
Did You Know?
In Hawaii, where it was accidentally introduced, it became a minor pest of macadamia nut trees and ornamental plants but is now largely controlled by natural enemies.
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.