How do nymphs within the mass compare visually to adults concerning their external covering?
Answer
Both nymphs and adults are enveloped in the same waxy filaments.
A key aspect of the woolly aphid colony's appearance is uniformity across its developmental stages. When observing an active, visible feeding cluster, both the immature nymphs and the mature adults are covered by the characteristic waxy secretion. This uniformity results in the entire aggregation appearing fuzzy and white, regardless of the precise life stage of the individual insect beneath the fluff. While winged forms can exist under certain environmental pressures, the bulk of the feeding population—nymphs and stem mothers—present a consistent, wax-covered exterior.
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