Help - is my Laburnum tree diseased?

hi all, i'm new to this forum. so apologies if i have posted this in the wrong place.

i have a laburnum tree in the garden.

this year i noticed something strange.
at least, i have not noticed this before.

it seems to have developed strange "black seed" type things.
here is the picture (sorry for the fuzzy image!):



so, is this a disease?

also, this year i noticed zillions of mosquitoes and wasp like (sort of mini wasp) buzzing all over the tree. the mosquitoes were the type with a striking green spot on the back.

would dearly appreciate all help you can give.

cheers.

 

"it seems to have developed strange "black seed" type things.
here is the picture (sorry for the fuzzy image!):"

Yep they are seeds.:D

The mini wasps were probably hoverflies, cant help with the mozzies though.

 

thanks pete.

are the hoverflies attracted to these seeds then?
should i do anything about these "pests"?

 

Hoverflies are not pests. As adults they feed on nectar. They will hover in an area defending that bit of air space from other hover flies as they wait for a mate to come along. Their larvae eat aphids so they are good for the garden.

 

thanks geoff.
i looked up hoverflies on the internet, and as you said they are good-ish for the garden.
will leave them be!

 

The only trouble with hover flies is they really know how to irritate. They fly in front of you with that high pitched hum which can sound threatening - I suppose they are trying to persuade you to go somewhere else. If you don't know what they are you can think their stripes mean they are looking to sting. I just ignore them and after a while they just treat you like the furniture and ignore you. You learn to value the insects. A garden is not a proper garden unless its got things buzzing around