The astonishing scene is nothing short of a “natural disaster”.
Stink Bugs Invade New York
When Martin DuPain returned home on Thursday afternoon (July 13), he was attacked by a swarm of tiny flying creatures. They got stuck in his hair, on his clothes, and even in his nose.
Only when he sneezed did they fly out.
Stink bugs clinging to a passerby’s hair.
At first, DuPain thought it might be ash from wildfires carried by the wind, but he quickly realized it was the opposite. Some were alive and flying. He rushed straight to the shower.
New Yorkers now feel like they are playing a risky game every time they step outside: they walk into a swarm of tiny creatures, with some people using their hands to swat them away, others covering their mouths and noses, and some even wearing masks.
Professor David Lohman, an entomologist at the City University of New York, stated that this swarm of creatures is a species of stink bug.
Stink bugs are common across the United States. They are small, pear-shaped insects that come in various colors, from green, red-yellow to black, brown-gray.
He noted that this is quite an unusual phenomenon because these bugs typically appear in New York after summer. According to him, the unusually warm winter last year may have contributed to the disruption of this bug’s biological clock.
Stink bug expert Natalie Hernandez mentioned that wildfires and climate change have created favorable conditions for their growth.
Andy Jensen, another stink bug researcher, added: “Smoke may allow stink bugs to survive longer into the summer than usual. Many individuals slow down or stop reproducing in the summer heat.”
Stink bugs invade New York. (Photo: Getty).
No Cause for Alarm
In light of the “disaster” of flying stink bugs, the New York City Department of Health stated that, regardless of the cause, residents need not worry.
“Although this may be bothersome, these insects pose no public health risk“.
Experts reveal that this population will not last much longer. This brings relief to Jeremy Cohen, a cycling enthusiast in Brooklyn, as he feels like he is being pelted by hail every time he goes outside.
At times, he has to steer his bike with one hand while covering his mouth and nose with the other.
“I knew the air quality was really bad, but I just thought it was debris from the wildfires… Then I gradually realized there was a swarm of bugs flying around,” he said.
While some view these insects as a nuisance, Lohman finds it amusing.
“The presence of these bugs signals something wonderful: New York has (an organic) environment!”, he said. “If pesticide use were common, there wouldn’t be so many stink bugs around.”
