Subject: Beetle w/ yellow horizontal stripes
Location: Little Rock, AR US
October 29, 2014 8:45 am
I cut down a small dead tree in our yard the other day and these little beetles were everywhere. they’d swarm together in groups and make their way up and down the tree after i disturbed them.
Signature: Tim
Tree Cattle
Dear Tim,
These are not beetles. They are benign, immature Bark Lice, commonly called Tree Cattle. They are often associated with dead and dying trees because they feed on lichens and fungus, but they do not harm living trees. Mature Bark Lice have black wings that cover the striped bodies.
Tree Cattle
Daniel,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it.
I left the critters alone. Wasn’t sure if they were the cause of the problem or not, but it’s nice to know they weren’t.
It was interesting, watching them scurrying around on the tree in large, but separate groups.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question and help in identifying them.
-=tim
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