New York: Watch Out for These Dancing Insects

This summer, New Yorkers may come across a curious sight: thousands of white fluffy insects dancing on local beech trees.

While these tiny dancers (check out how they shake it in the video below) may look fun, their name, as well as their painful defense mechanism, are no joke.

Beech blight aphids are fluffy and move like their dancing... that doesn't mean they don't know how to defend themselves (NYS DEC via Facebook)

Dancing Insects in New York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) was in a lighthearted mood recently when they took to Facebook to post about one of New York State's most interesting insects.

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Beech Blight Aphids in New York

"What’s fluffy, white, and likes to throw a dance party with thousands of friends?", the NYS DEC asked their followers (below). The tiny bug in question was none other than the beech blight aphid (challenge: say that three times fast). While the name sounds serious, the NYS DEC went on to explain their importance for the ecosystem.

Are Beech Blight Aphids Native to New York State?

The word "blight" may sound serious, but the beech blight aphid is a native species to New York. Though they feed on the sap of local beech trees, birds and some larger insects also eat the aphids, which means trees aren't harmed and everyone can have a full belly. But back to the warning...

A closer look at the beech blight aphid reveals a scary-looking defense mechanism (NYS DEC via Facebook/Katja Schulz via iNaturalist/CC By 4.0)

Why New Yorkers Should Stay Away from Beech Blight Aphids

The NYS DEC cautions New Yorkers that while masses of fluffy dancing insects can look inviting, the aphids have a sharp defense mechanism. "Please don’t pet the aphids as they can defend themselves with a sharp poke", came the warning.

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With constant messaging from authorities about invasive species, it can be tough to know which plants and animals are helpful to the local environment, and which are not. While some animals or plants can be dangerous, others are simply native New Yorkers. Take a look at which plants and animals to watch out for below.

New York State's Invasive Plants To Be On The Lookout For

These seven invasive plants have become a nuisance to the wildlife and people living in New York State. Learn more about them and how to remove them at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation here.