Witch-hazel cone gall - Hormaphis hamamelidis
This is the underside of the leaf. I assume those are exit holes, otherwise the gall had been parasitized. The left side of the photo show bark lice eggs and the newly hatched babies. I didn't notice them when I took the photo.
Host: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
The witch-hazel cone gall aphid is a minuscule insect, a member of the aphid superfamily, whose presence on a witch-hazel plant is easily recognizable by a red conical gall structure. This gall, rich in nutrients, provides both food and shelter for the female aphid.
Similar species: True Bugs
By Christine Young
Attribution Non-Commercial
Uploaded Jan 1, 2024. Captured Jul 11, 2022 10:04 in 3280 Franklin Ave, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA.
