Grylloprociphilus imbricator

Beech Blight Aphids have a horrible-sounding common name; however, they cause little to no damage to the overall health of infested American beech trees, which is their primary host. On the other hand, don't put your hand in a colony because they will attack and stab you!

The talented and uniquely entertaining Beech Blight Aphids (Grylloprociphilus imbricator) are taking the stage in Ohio. Some of the best line dancing can be seen in Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve in Wayne County, OH. Jim Chatfield (OSU Extension Emeritus) and I observed chorus lines of beech blight aphids shaking their derrieres on their namesake host in the Preserve last week.

The uniquely entertaining Beech Blight Aphids (Grylloprociphilus imbricator) are taking the stage in Ohio. I’ve received several e-mail messages from across the state about the aphids and Brian Heinz (Horticulture Manager, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum) alerted me to chorus lines shaking their derrieres on their namesake host in southwest Ohio

I was surprised over the weekend to come across a horde of Beech Bligh Aphid (Grylloprociphilus imbricator) nymphs on their namesake host in southwest Ohio. This aphid spends the winter in the egg stage and I had assumed they had completed their seasonal development.

Woolly Alder Aphids produce large, white fluffy colonies on the branches of their namesake host making the branches look like they're covered in patches of white hair. A close look will reveal woolly aphid nymphs exuding strands of white waxy filaments from block-like structures on their backs.

I believe no other insect upstages Beech Bligh Aphids in entertainment value. During a visit to a Lake County, OH, park last Thursday, Jim Chatfield and I came across a cluster of these engaging aphids shaking their woolly derrieres in what appeared to be a synchronous samba. All we needed was "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty" by KC and the Sunshine Band blaring in the background to complete the effect.