Beech blight aphids are found on a beech twig at Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan County, Sept 5, 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McnNe@wisconsin.gov
Late summer and fall is the time of year when fluffy “beech blight aphids” become very noticeable on American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) in the eastern quarter of Wisconsin, where the tree species occurs.
These large aphids grow white, waxy filaments from their abdomens and feed in a colony on the branches of beech trees. When disturbed, they all shake their abdomens in an attempt to scare off predators. This behavior has led to the insect being commonly known as the “boogie woogie aphid.”
Continue reading “Beech Blight Aphids Visible In Eastern Wisconsin”
Trees grow, change and like all living things, eventually decline or die. Sometimes trees are removed from urban areas due to safety concerns, tree health or insufficient space. But when these urban and community trees are viewed not as waste, but as a valuable material resource, their story doesn’t end – it continues.
Do you have a tree inventory but have a hard time keeping it up to date? Or are you interested in inventorying trees from scratch?
Wheels to Woods is a school to forest or forestry-related field trip transportation grant program supported and administered by the WI Society of American Foresters DEI Committee.
