Unknown Insect Colony - Ask Extension
What kind of insects are in this swam that were on a young maple tree? They almost look like a true bug with long antennae. Whatever insect species th...
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Unknown Insect Colony #266624
Asked August 01, 2015, 10:51 AM EDT
What kind of insects are in this swam that were on a young maple tree? They almost look like a true bug with long antennae. Whatever insect species this is, is it possible the 1/4" adult appearing individuals have live young?
Regards,
New York County New York
Expert Response
Your wonderful photos show a colony of adult bark lice and their nymphs. They do not harm the tree and, in fact, they feed on algae and other debris they find on the bark. They produce a webbing in which they live and feed, but at the end of summer, they even eat the webbing, thereby cleaning up after themselves.
LS
LS
