Apple woolly aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) on Oct 21, 2023

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

I have two photos. In flight they look white but I caught one and the abdomen was a pale purple blue but shows in photo as black abdomen.
Swarm looked like falling ash, mist and at one point sparse snowfall.
Date observed in swarm falling early afternoon of October 21, 2023
Open Wing span 1/4 inch
White fluid when it was squished.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! Yes, these are Woolly Aphids (family Eriosomatidae), most likely Apple Woolly Aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum.

The PNW Handbook has more information:
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-woolly-apple-aphid

Tom Valente
Oct. 23, 2023, 1:08 a.m.