NEW ULM - Area residents have been reporting something small and
fluffy in their trees, and it's not the neighbors kitten. Woolly
aphids have been spotted in significant numbers in trees across
our area. Woolly aphids are not uncommon to the state but
usually in fairly unnoticeable quantities. "There have been a
few reports of woolly aphids in metro counties, but this is the
first greater Minnesota issue I've heard this year," said
University of Minnesota Entomologist Jeff Hahn. Woolly aphids
have been spotted in significant numbers in trees across our
area. The call first came in from several residents of
northwestern St. Peter and aphids have since have been spotted
along the Judson Bottom Road and elsewhere. What most folks want
to know is, "What are they and what should I do about them?" The
woolly aphid looks like a gnat wearing a wedding dress and is
either found as a flying insect or small green more common
looking tree insect. The woolly aphid, like all aphids, sucks
nutrients out of the leaves of hos