Some species, known as woolly aphids, are covered with white, waxy filaments which they produce from special glands. Aphids have unusual and complex life cycles which allow them to build up tremendous populations in relatively short periods of time. Most species overwinter as fertilized eggs glued to stems or other parts of plants. Nymphs which hatch from these eggs become wingless females known as stem mothers. There are no males present at this time.
All offspring are females which soon mature and begin to reproduce in the same manner.
This pattern continues for as long as conditions are favorable. A dozen or more generations are typical in Virginia. Periodically, some or all of the young develop wings and migrate to other plants. With the return of autumn's shorter days and cooler temperatures, a generation appears which includes both males and females. After matting, these females lay the fertilized eggs which overwinter and eventually hatch into stem mothers the following spring.