Woolly Apple Aphid vs Oak Apple Gall Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Woolly Apple Aphid Oak Apple Gall Wasp
Scientific Name Eriosoma lanigerum Biorhiza pallida
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Aphididae Cynipidae
Size 1-2 mm 3.5–6 mm
Habitat Orchards Woodlands
Diet Gall Makers Gall Makers
Regions Cosmopolitan in temperate regions Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Woolly Apple Aphid

An aphid covered in waxy white filaments that forms colonies on apple tree bark and roots. Heavy infestations cause gall-like swellings on branches and roots.

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Did You Know?

It alternates between elm trees in spring and apple trees in summer across its complex life cycle.

Oak Apple Gall Wasp

A gall wasp that creates large spongy apple-like galls on oak twigs. It has an alternating sexual and asexual generation cycle.

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Did You Know?

The asexual generation develops in root galls underground, while the sexual generation produces the conspicuous twig galls.