It is found living on the European silver birch tree (Betula pendula) where it feeds and multiplies on the buds and leaves by sucking sap.

In September the birch leaves begin to turn yellow and the aphids resume reproduction and further nymphs are born viviparously.

The silver birch is an ornamental tree native to Europe which has been introduced into North America, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world and the aphid has travelled with it.

In Europe, the closely related downy birch (Betula pubescens) has its own species of aphid, Euceraphis punctipennis.

At one time this was thought to be identical to Euceraphis betulae but there have been found to be chromosomal differences between the two, and they are now considered to be separate species.