New York City is facing a double whammy: smoke from Canadian wildfires and a massive influx of aphids. Social media is buzzing with reports and videos of the tiny insects swarming the city, coinciding with the hazy conditions caused by the wildfires.
Photographer Jeremy Cohen documented the phenomenon, sharing a video of bugs coating his clothes and glasses while biking. He described the situation as "apocalyptic," a sentiment echoed by other Twitter users who likened the event to biblical plagues.
While some areas of the city seem unaffected by the insect swarms, the poor air quality from the wildfire smoke has kept many residents indoors. Initially mistaken for gnats, scientists have confirmed the insects are aphids.
Experts suggest the unseasonably warm winter might be a contributing factor to the aphid explosion. Entomologist David Lohman from the City University of New York noted that aphids typically appear later in the summer in NYC. Researcher Andy Jensen added that the smoke might be prolonging the aphids' reproductive period, which usually slows down during the summer heat.
Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, an entomologist at Cornell University, explained that aphids have a winged reproductive phase where they disperse from their host plants, usually trees. This appears to have occurred simultaneously across the city. She reassured residents that the infestation is likely to be short-lived.
Despite the inconvenience, the New York City Public Health Department has confirmed that the aphids pose no public health risk. They are investigating the situation and will provide updates if necessary.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that vary in color, with winged varieties being slightly darker. They primarily feed on plant sap, often without causing visible damage to the host plant.
