Does anyone recognize this. They make a dark spot on a tree as they all gather in formation. Hopefully, someone can tell from this picture...Is this a friend or foe. I'm leaning to foe but I don't have a clue. They are on several trees, this is a Japanese maple. Arggggggggggghhhhhhh!!
I can't tell how large they are, Plantnutz. Do you have a closer or clearer picture? How big is the trunk/branch they're on?
Kimberly, I'll try to get a clearer picture today. I was having a hard time yesterday as they were way over my head and I couldn't hold the camera still for a good shot. They are pretty true to size in the exploded pic - there are adults and babies in the pic. They are about as long as a good size fly, black, kind of shiny, with long antennae. The most unusual characteristic is they are always in a wad like that. At first glance it looks like a dark spot on the tree. Oh, the tree is a full grown japanese maple upper limb but not huge. I'll try to get a better shot this evening. Thanks for trying. They are really spooky and I just feel sure they are not a good thing. Brenda
Call your local office of the State University Extension Agent. They should know what critter is swarming this time of the year and may even make a house call for possitive ID.
You could also call a couple local nurseries and ask them for an opinion. Can you get some into a jar to take to someone for ID? That would save time which may be important if these things are swarming.
Brenda, check out this link: http://www.bugwood.org/gfcbook/wii.html
It has sloppy HTML on it, so whole chunks show up as hyperlinks, but there are some pictures you'll want to see.
