The woolly alder aphid is now in season. If maple trees or alder shrubs are about, you've seen them, little tufts of cotton-like material seemly floating about, but they are winged insects that fly. They produce strands of waxy material from their abdomens, which has the liking of cotton or wool.

These guys are sap-drawing aphids. The waxy material deters others who might feed on the aphids. The material has some sugary honey dew about so the aphids and masses are sticky.

In autumn you may see clusters of them on alder stems, which looks alive, as the attached waxy stuff blows in the br...