Pesky the Woolly Aphid

Plants especially consider us to be major pests. We suck plants’ sap (apple trees are my personal favorite) and occasionally give them diseases in the process. But can you blame me? I have to eat something, and plant sap is delicious!

If you zoomed in really far on my wool and asked your friend what animal I was, your friend would probably guess a sheep. I might be some plants’ enemy, but sheep have their own enemies. Think foxes, badgers, wolves, and even bugs. The plants I eat can’t do much to defend themselves against me, and sheep can’t really defend themselves either. After all, they don’t have sharp claws, fast legs, or a poisonous bite.

Sheep rely on their shepherd to protect them because they cannot protect themselves. Similarly, you can’t protect yourself from all of life’s hardships and the schemes of your enemy, the devil, on your own.

But if you have faith that Jesus is Lord and that he died and rose to save you from the penalty of your sins, you are a child of God—you have the Good Shepherd leading you. Romans 8:38–39 teaches that no enemy can separate you from your Shepherd’s love. His strength and armor are available for you to put on, and he wants you to bring your requests to him in prayer (Ephesians 6:10–18). And in the end, he will “put all his enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25).

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5)

Woolly Aphid Facts

• Class: Insecta
• Order: Hemiptera
• Family: Aphididae
• Genus and species: Eriosoma lanigerum (most common)
• Size: Only a small fraction of an inch
• Irish name: Aifid chlúmhach

Explore More

• Bugs
• Made to Match
• The Armor of God
• Bugs in the Bible Activity

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