Spokane7
61°
October 20, 2009 in City
Pesky bug infestation an ‘environmental wonder’
The smokey-winged ash aphid – that little gray-blue critter flittering around tree-lined residential areas in the Inland Northwest this month – is a harmless but sometimes annoying insect that typically emerges when the weather turns cooler in October, a plant expert said Tuesday.
Dan Lambert, a plant clinic specialist for the Washington State University Master Gardener program in Spokane County, said the aphids come out of the ground this time of year to complete their life cycles by moving from the ground into ash trees where they mate and lay eggs.
Their autumn massing is triggered by humidity, air pressure and day length.
The aphids feed in mature firs in the spring and then go underground during summer where they reproduce asexually. While they might seem to be a nuisance, they are considered to be a part of the natural life cycle in the Inland Northwest and are best left alone, he said.
“It’s one of those environmental wonders,” he said.
—Mike Prager
Returning farmland to a state of nature 
zelda on October 20 at 5:47 p.m.
Thanks for solving the mystery. For years I’ve just been calling them “little blue bugs.”
polistra on October 20 at 8:24 p.m.
I’ve also wondered what they are. They seem to be more fragile and less intelligent than most flying insects; they sort of randomly drift until they bump into something, and they smash at the least touch.
They serve one purpose: when they swarm to the max, you know this is the last warm day of fall. It’s all cold from here on.
xcop1951 on October 21 at 1:39 a.m.
Much like you Michael Prager a total worthless pesty little thing that should be left alone! Sadly you’re not harmless though!
garfnagn on October 21 at 3:36 a.m.
I say let these bugs have their day in the sun. They’ve wasted their entire summers living underground and reproducing asexually. How much fun is that? Reminds me of when I was 14 and living in a room in the basement and discovering Playboy magazine one summer.