Residents of New York City have taken to social media to express their astonishment as swarms of winged aphids filled the skies, coinciding with the smoke from Canadian wildfires.
The invasion has affected multiple boroughs, causing concern among the population.
Photographer Jeremy Cohen captured the moment on video, showing bugs dying on his shirt and glasses while he was biking. "It feels like the apocalypse right now," he remarked, reflecting the sentiment of many New Yorkers.
The biblical story of Exodus and the ten plagues of Egypt were referenced by several Twitter users, drawing parallels with the current situation, including the presence of flies.
However, some neighborhoods have remained unaffected by the bug invasion, although the air quality index on Friday was enough to keep many indoors.
The question on everyone's mind is: what are these insects? Many have described them as gnats, but scientists have identified them as aphids.
Professor David Lohman, an entomologist at the City University of New York, explained that the warm winter temperatures may have contributed to the sudden appearance of these swarms.
Typically, aphids do not emerge in New York City until after summer. However, the smoke from the wildfires might be allowing them to remain abundant for a longer period than usual.
Andy Jensen, another researcher, added that many aphids slow down or stop reproducing in the heat of summer.
Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, a Cornell University entomologist, noted that aphids have a specific life cycle where they reproduce, develop wings, and fly off from host plants, usually trees.
She observed that this phenomenon seemed to have occurred simultaneously throughout the city, from north to south. However, Gangloff-Kaufmann reassured residents, saying, "It won't be much longer, I'm sure."
While the aphids are certainly a nuisance, the New York City Public Health Department has stated that they do not pose a known public health risk.
In a statement released on Friday, the department assured the public that they are investigating the situation and will share any important health information.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that come in various colors, with winged aphids being slightly darker.
They feed on sap from plants, and in many cases, there are no visible symptoms of their feeding. The University of Minnesota explains that aphids are generally harmless to humans.
While the situation may be alarming, experts assure the public that there is no known health risk associated with these insects. The city's Public Health Department is actively investigating the situation and will provide updates if necessary.
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