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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » Plant-parasitic Hemipterans (Sternorrhyncha) » Aphidoidea » Aphids (Aphididae)
Photo#1413425
Stegophylla?
Copyright © 2017 Michael J. Plagens

Stegophylla?
Mt. Ord, Mazatzal Mts., Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
July 21, 2017
Size: 2mm
On opening tightly curled leaves I found what appear to be a kind of woolly aphid. Researching I came to possible id, Stegophylla essigi. Gall-like leaf deformation and waxy white insect at lower right. A number of leaves on this plant, Emory Oak, were similarly colonized. Neighboring Quercus emoryi also hosted these aphids.
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Contributed by Michael J. Plagens on 29 July, 2017 - 8:07pm
Last updated 18 September, 2019 - 12:26pm

Tough to be sure from this image.
I am not finding any information stating Stegophylla spp cause that sort of leaf formation. The ones I've seen have wax all over the leaves, but there aren't many reference images for this genus.

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/woolly_oak_aphid.htm

http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info/d_APHIDS_S.htm#Stegophylla

It also doesn't seem to be a widespread species, records are on the west coast, plus S. essigi has not been previously recorded on that species of oak. Doesn't definitively rule it out as a host, just doesn't confirm the species ID.

http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info/C_HOSTS_Qua_Rey.htm?LMCL=y57Khx#Quercus

It would be more helpful if the specimen were full size.
… Natalie Hernandez, 14 October, 2020 - 5:39pm login or register to post comments

 
Rare Bugs
I am always checking oaks in Arizona for insects and this was the first and only time I've found this. Goes to show us there are many discoveries yet to be made. Obviously if I find it again I will do better at imaging/collecting.
… Michael J. Plagens, 17 October, 2020 - 2:25pm login or register to post comments

 
Sweet.
Aphids are also just tough to ID, many need to be cleared and slide mounted, and you are definitely right that there is still a lot to discover. The crop pests are well studied, but the rest of the aphids are hit or miss.

To improve chances of ID with pictures I always recommend multiples. Different angles, close ups of specimens that look different because they are often different morphs, and some are easier to ID than others. Plus a picture of the whole colony if there is one, or at least a section including many specimens. Host plant is also necessary for many species, although some are colonized by dozens of aphids so they're not as helpful.
… Natalie Hernandez, 17 October, 2020 - 3:34pm login or register to post comments

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