A cluster of very tiny brownish bugs, with red heads and striped bodies, that move like a flock of birds - Cerastipsocus trifasciatus Hoover, LA, Shelby County, Alabama, USA June 18, 2009 Size: 3/16 to 1/4 inch
My husband Dan, found these bugs outside our house and took pictures showing their behavior. His story: Here's a photo of some very interesting bugs on the driveway. I first spotted a large dark object, brownish in color, on the driveway on Wednesday near the small firewood stand. It had a dark oval shape about 6" long and maybe 1/8" thick. I walked up on it and couldn't figure out what it was. The object was absolutely motionless. Not knowing what it was, I touched it with my shoe and it instantaneously broke apart! It was a cluster of very tiny bugs!
But even more interesting was their behavior. They moved together like a flock of birds or a school of fish. They might scatter a bit, but then they would cluster back together. They would move together in one direction, although it was not clear which bug was leading or how the group decided when to move or where.
The next day I was working outside and saw a much smaller group of the same bugs, in the same general area. I got my camera to take a photo of these insects. To my surprise, when I blew up the photo, I saw the bugs had a red head and striped bodies! The bugs are about 3/16" to 1/4" long.
Thought you might enjoy these photos and story.
Images of this individual: tag all Contributed by Elsie Troceen on 30 August, 2009 - 5:22pm Last updated 31 August, 2009 - 12:35am |