In addition to oaks, giant bark aphids are found on hickory, walnut, and beech, to name a few. Several years ago, on the campus of the University of Maryland, giant bark aphids and giant willow aphids were discovered on the bark of a magnificent beech tree and a weeping willow tree on campus. Here are their stories. 

Giant Bark Aphids by the Bug Guy

‘Twas the week before Christmas and what did I see,

Giant bark aphids on a leafless beech tree. 

Aphids are not known for their very large size,

But these babes on beech trees win the “big-aphid” prize. 

These serious sap-suckers spent several past weeks,

Sipping plant sap from branches through very long beaks. 

Aphid moms suck sweet phloem by night and by day,

And turn sap into nymphs - born alive, by the way.