We frequently get inqiries about an odd looking "hairy" insect which is found living on a wide range of trees and shrubs. In most cases, it turns out to be a type of aphid. Known as Woolly Aphids, this species typically infest trees and many times goes unnoticed, even in great numbers. Not as common as their green cousins, woolly aphids are mostly found on hard wood trees like elm, silver maple, ash, alder, apple, pear, pine, spruce, hawthorn, and juneberry. This unique insect has a waxy strand making them appear to be covered in wool. Also known as the elm aphid, alder aphid, pine bark aphid or the maple blight aphid, woolly aphids should be treated as described in our APHID CONTROL ARTICLE. Below is a video showing a good close up of what they look like.

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