Woolly Alder Aphid (Family Aphididae)
Woolly aphids are spectacular when sitting on twigs in large assemblages, and startling as individuals, flying through the air like bits of fluff or feathers. A female aphid reproduces parthenogenetically, popping out live young (clones) all over her host plant without benefit of male companionship and without eggs. Decreasing day length signals the alder crowd to produce winged generation, and they make for the maples again. Eggs are laid (just one per female!) in crevices in the bark.
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