Tiny Brown "Splinter" Bugs Covering Car: Likely Thrips Attracted to Color

A commuter finds hundreds of slow-moving, light-brown, splinter-like bugs (¼ inch) all over their car parked near a spring-flowering field. They suspect a sweet air freshener attracted them. After removing the freshener and driving on the freeway, bugs blew off. Next evening, fewer bugs appeared. No one else's car had them.

Expert Answer: Without a photo, these sound like thrips (image and description). Thrips are attracted to colors (especially blue/yellow), but odor attraction is unproven. They are harmless.

— Jack DeAngelis