Insects? On Tree Branches - Ask Extension
There are hundreds or thousands of tiny white, feathery looking insects or larva collected under some branches in our yard. You can see them moving s...
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Insects? On Tree Branches #369406
Asked October 11, 2016, 5:21 PM EDT
There are hundreds or thousands of tiny white, feathery looking insects or larva collected under some branches in our yard. You can see them moving slightly. They have left a black spot on the ground below where they are. What are they and should we be concerned?
St. Clair County Michigan
Expert Response
Appears to be woolly aphids and the black you are seeing on the ground is their excreted honeydew (defecation). Black sooty mold often forms on the honeydew. Can be unsightly but the insect rarely causes damage to the tree. You can read more about them here: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/woolly-aphids-on-trees-and-shrubs/
They are short lived and many other insects will feed on them voraciously when found, so you likely won't see them much longer.
They are short lived and many other insects will feed on them voraciously when found, so you likely won't see them much longer.
Thank you so much for he answer. Glad they are harmlrss! Thank you!
Very good. Shocking to see yes, but rarely harmful.
