Christmas tree insect

hyde · #1 (**permalink**) 29-12-2011, 07:05 PM

Hi, wondering if anyone can help identify this insect?

We found around 20 insects crawling on the floor this morning. They were all crawling away from the Christmas tree so I am assuming that they originated from it somewhere and that maybe the warmth of the house had caused a load to hatch at once. The tree has been in the house since 1st December, today is the 29th.
Over the last 8 hours we have found around another 20 n total at different times. They are very slow and docile.

Would love to know what they are.

Sorry about picture quality - done using phone.
Also would like to point out that the insect is posing on a dustpan for the picture - our floor isn't that dirty.
Thanks in advance for help.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 29-12-2011, 08:09 PM

An aphid. Welcome to WAB.

hyde · #3 (**permalink**) 29-12-2011, 08:27 PM

Thank you Jason for reply and for welcome. Great forum. Since stumbling upon it I have had a good browse. Will definitely be useful for identifying some of the insects at my allotment next year.

Back to the tree - would it be wise to get rid of the tree now or do you think it was just a few aphids hatching today? Don't want to get tons of them living in the house.

Are they able to fly do you think? I didn't see any wings.

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 29-12-2011, 09:06 PM

I think you get more winged-aphids among dense colonies, as a way of permitting dispersal. As this one is wingless, it could also be a nymph (immature life-stage). You could keep it indoors, then just locate anything outside under a bush for the sake of hibernation.

lilyrose · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2012, 06:43 PM

The only time I had a real Christmas tree in the house after a few days I noticed all the tree decorations and the cloth covering the table it stood on were covered with aphid 'mess', as were the branches on closer inspection. The funny thing was I couldn't find any aphids on the tree or in the house. But I've never had a real one again.
Today I noticed all the small fuschias which I am keeping in my porch were covered in greenfly.

hyde · #6 (**permalink**) 02-01-2012, 10:05 AM

I have had a real tree for the last 10 years or so and this is the first time i have ever noticed insects.

The exodus from the tree has stopped. Either the aphids are no more, or the tree is appealing to them again - I gave it more water. We had noticed the sticky stuff on some of the presents on the floor under the tree, but wrongly assumed it was sap directly from the tree.

The tree is going to be put outside today.

Greenfly on fuschias in January - the mild weather is doing some weird things isn't it? I saw a bumble bee at the allotment last week, and keep seeing the odd butterfly.