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Prociphilus tessellatus
A fuzzy looking white scale growing on the branches of an alder tree. There were three patches of it on the tree that were about 4in long. The fuzzy white part was sticky to the touch.
Growing on the branches of a 7ft alder tree in a shoreline restoration area. The scale was found on both high and low branches on the tree.
These aphids infest both silver maple and alder, but usually don't cause too much damage to the plants. Their abdomens are covered by these white, waxy, fluffy strands. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/...
Tom15, thanks for the ID suggestion! They definitely do look like woolly alder aphids, and it sounds like these insects do feed off the plant, but don't typically cause any serious damage. Thanks again for your help with the identification.