Bug identification - Ask Extension
Can you help identify this? I have tried researching and cannot find. There are several of these little bugs that don't seem to be bothering plants. T...
Knowledgebase
Bug identification #873562
Asked June 18, 2024, 8:21 AM EDT
Can you help identify this? I have tried researching and cannot find. There are several of these little bugs that don't seem to be bothering plants. They are on our porch, siding and north side of our house so seems to like more shaded areas. They are also on a new wood flower bed we built. (But have had the wood for a year). Some factors are we bought bagged organic dirt from home depot mixed in with our clay soil. We have 2 pretty large blue spruce trees in the area as well. They crawl slow, don't jump or fly.
Douglas County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Katie,
That is a giant willow aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus). They feed on willows, and occasionally things in the genus Populus (i.e. cottonwoods, quaking aspen). They are of no threat to the trees, nor to anything in your garden. If they are a nuisance, you can manage them by spraying them with a hose on "jet". These insects are so soft bodied that they can be killed with just a strong stream of water.
