# Aphid (*Aphididae*) The Aphid is a tiny bug that loves to munch on plant leaves. They often come in groups and can be found on many plants! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Gardens, fields, and farms - **Also known as:** Greenfly, Plant Louse ![Aphid](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424331/objects/5526.jpg) ## Appearance The Aphid is a tiny, soft-bodied insect, typically pear-shaped, and can be green, black, brown, yellow, or red. They have a small head with antennae and two unique 'tailpipes' (cornicles) at their rear. Some aphids are wingless, while others develop clear, membranous wings to fly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Aphididae ## Interesting facts - Aphids breathe through tiny holes on their bodies called spiracles, not lungs! - Aphids can give birth to live babies, which are sometimes already pregnant themselves! - Some ants 'farm' aphids, protecting them in exchange for their sweet honeydew! - Some species can change their body color to camouflage perfectly with the plants they live on! ## Special abilities - **Asexual Superpower:** Aphid can reproduce without a mate (parthenogenesis), giving birth to live clones incredibly fast. - **Sweet Treat Maker:** Aphid has tiny tubes called cornicles that secrete sugary honeydew, attracting ants for protection. - **Flight of Escape:** Aphids can grow wings to fly away when their plant is overcrowded or food becomes scarce. - **Chemical Alarms:** Aphid can release an alarm pheromone to warn other aphids of danger when attacked by a predator. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 3-12 mm - **Size:** 1-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 1 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 1000 ## Diet & Feeding Aphids are tiny plant eaters that drink sugary sap from plants. - **Primary Foods:** Plant sap, Phloem, Rose sap, Bean plant sap, Fruit tree sap, Vegetable plant sap - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Harlequin Ladybug (*Harmonia axyridis*) — Ladybugs are major predators of aphids in gardens. - **Symbiotic with:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Ants 'farm' aphids for their sugary honeydew. - **Parasitizes:** Parasitoid Wasp (*Aphidius colemani*) — Tiny wasps lay eggs inside aphids, killing them. - **Hunts:** Minute Pirate Bug (*Orius insidiosus*) — These small bugs pierce and feed on aphids. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aphid? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Aphid's wingspan? 3-12 mm ### How big is Aphid? 1-10 mm ### How long does Aphid live? 10-30 days ### How fast can Aphid fly? 1 km/h ### What does Aphid eat? Aphids are tiny plant eaters that drink sugary sap from plants. ### Where is Aphid usually found? Gardens, fields, and farms ### How does Aphid hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Saltwater State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saltwater-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park - [Sam Smith Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sam-smith-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Spruce Woods Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/spruce-woods-provincial-park) — Manitoba, CA · State Park - [Lenclair Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lenclair-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Sooke Potholes Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sooke-potholes-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Aphid](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/aphid) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Aphid: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aphid)