Woolly Beech Aphid – Identification
![Woolly beech aphid 2 | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener](https://t9e4s3i5.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Woolly-beech-aphid-2.jpg)
Q: My beech trees have a large bug infestation. You can see they completely cover a limb and leave a mess below. They do not fly away even if I remove a branch. What are they and what do I do?
A: A glorious colony of woolly beech aphid! These sap-sucking insects cover themselves with waxy filaments to deter predators. The gray/black stuff on the ground is sooty mold growing on the tremendous amount of honeydew they produce.
A blast of water or any garden insecticide will control them.
But before you hurt them, watch them dance!
![Woolly beech aphid | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener Woolly beech aphid](http://www.walterreeves.com/wr2020/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Woolly-beech-aphid.jpg)
Woolly beech aphid
![Woolly beech aphid 2 | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener Woolly beech aphid](http://www.walterreeves.com/wr2020/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Woolly-beech-aphid-21.jpg)
Woolly beech aphid
![Woolly beech aphid 3 | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener Woolly beech aphid honeydew](http://www.walterreeves.com/wr2020/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Woolly-beech-aphid-3.jpg)
Woolly beech aphid honeydew