An Evening Surprise
Last week, my husband and I went for a walk at a nearby nature center, enjoying the late summer evening. As we left the open prairie and entered the wooded area, our eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, and we started down the shaded trail covered with sticks and leaves. We stopped at a trail junction and studied the map to decide which trail to take. Choosing one that would eventually meander through an oak savannah, we struck out again.
Around another bend, we came upon a surprising sight—a dark branch covered in miniscule white balls. The contrast of the bright white line in the darkening woods was conspicuous, and I couldn’t ignore it. As we approached, the mass of white started to move, slowly at first, with just the tips waving back and forth in unison. After a minute, the entire branch was moving with thousands of tiny white bugs, covered in a woolly substance, dancing on the leaves and branches. What was this? We continued on our way, finding several more trees each with a single branch covered in the fascinating creatures.
As we first approached, the branches were still until something caused an alarm. Then they started their dancing. I will admit to creating some alarm by blowing at them or poking them with a branch. We stood transfixed as the undulating movement spread from the tip of the branch, along the tributaries and leaves, and became a river of white. Under each covered branch was a waxy black patch on the forest floor.
Reluctantly we continued on our way after taking pictures and videos. It was getting dark. Who knew what these creatures would become once the sun went down! At home, we researched and learned that they are woolly alder aphids, a species that consumes the sap and excretes a sticky, sugary substance loved by ants and other insects. A spontaneous evening walk gave us a glimpse of yet another of God’s surprising creatures.
