All overwinter on their primary host, hawthorn trees (Crataegus) spp., but each migrates to a different secondary host in the family Apiaceae during the summer; D. c. crataegi moves to wild carrot (Daucus carota), D. c. kunzei to wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and D. c. aethusae to hedge parsley (Torilis spp.)

On the secondary host, wingless viviparous females are greenish-grey or yellowish-grey, again dusted with fine wax particles.

Egg-laying females are reddish-brown and winged males are reddish with black markings.

[3] The hawthorn-carrot aphid migrates to its primary host in late summer and forms red, curling galls on its leaves.

In late summer winged females and males are produced and migrate to hawthorn trees.