Swarms of aphids invade New York City – rts.ch
New York City has been invaded by hordes of insects. Battered by smoke from wildfires in Canada three weeks ago, swarms of aphids have been moving since last week in Manhattan and Brooklyn and fueling psychosis.
A week ago, the photos went viral on social networks. You can watch amazing videos of thousands of white or green insects clinging to skin, hair, and clothes.
Netizens do not hesitate to share their theories, sometimes a little outlandish, ranging from midges being attracted by the smoke of Canadian fires, to divine punishment.
These hypotheses have been refuted by many scholars in the American press. Smoke has nothing to do with the arrival of these insects.
without risk
According to Cornell University entomology professor Cory Morrow, these are aphids that have proliferated thanks to the mild, humid temperatures that have persisted since this winter.
In fact, more flowers and plants grew this year thanks to the mild winter and rainy spring, which would have attracted insects, as I show in The New York Times.
If researchers have so far failed to formally identify the species that spread, they want to be reassured. With the support of the New York City Health Department, they claim that these insects are not dangerous and that they can leave as quickly as they appear.
Virginie Gerhard / Edel
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