Join the hunt for the world's largest aphid!

Survey launch date: Wednesday 8th August.

There are almost six hundred species of aphids in Britain. Most of them are harmless to gardeners, and many are extremely rare. The Giant oak aphid (Stomaphis quercus) is one such aphid. It is the world’s largest aphid – about the size of a coffee bean – and it feeds solely on the trunk of the English oak tree. Now we are asking you to help us find out where it lives, so that we can know just how rare it really is.

To take part in the Giant Aphid Hunt click here

The Giant oak aphid being 'milked' by Jet black ants (c) Dr Bernhard Seifert

Why do they need our help?

The Giant oak aphid lives in a fascinating mini-world - it gets protection from fierce black ants in return for honeydew - but like many bugs (also known as invertebrates) it’s very rare and therefore in danger of disappearing altogether.

Few people have ever looked for the Giant oak aphid. Your help will enable us to map where it lives and to discover just how rare it really is.