When you catch them, they look kind of like hairy flies. Though, the white fluff is not hair, but rather a waxy excretion.
When they are flying they look like tiny fairies in the air, thus their nickname - they are also sometimes called "fluff bugs", or even "fuzz-butts".
They only grow wings in the fall (or sometimes in late summer), when they are migrating to the trees where they will lay their eggs for the winter. As I understand it, they are relatively harmless, as aphids go, and are food for many beneficial insects. So, if you run into a bunch, don't worry about "dealing" with them - just enjoy the wonder filled show of these flying, fuzzy, fairies of fall.
It's great to be a homeschooler.
I don't think I have ever seen these before. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteThose look like they bite, but they must not because you're actively trying to catch them.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have anything like that here.
Ticia - I think they can bite, but they are pretty tiny, so we weren't too worried.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think I've ever seen those before. In my mind fairies are slightly more attractive, but I am not a big fan of bugs in principle.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have those in our area. Thanks for sharing them with us.
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