Evander Reed:They're "gnot" gnats! Swarms of aphids in NYC bugging New Yorkers

2025-05-05 19:31:09source:PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Centercategory:News

Expert: Tiny bugs flying around Tri-State Area are aphids
Expert: Tiny bugs flying around Tri-State Area are aphids00:58

New Yorkers who've found themselves walking into a swarm of tiny insects recently should know they're not alone. 

Many people took to Twitter to complain about a recent infestation of bugs. 

can anyone explain what is happening in nyc right now with these bugs/gnats?

I thought it was debris from the bad air quality at first, but then I realized that all these small particles all over my body are BUGS pic.twitter.com/gwjeWwVzcS

— jerm (@jerm_cohen) June 30, 2023

"I don't know what's going on in New York right now, but look at all these bugs that are dying on my shirt while I'm biking. And they're all in my glasses, too," Twitter user Jeremy Cohen said. "It feels like the apocalypse right now." 

Many people think they're gnats, but we've learned the bugs are aphids and they usually feed on plants and leaves.

Expert Sam Anderson, an urban agriculture specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, says there's no reason to worry.

"It's unusual, but it's not a kind of insect that harms people in any direct kind of way," he said.

They're not the only issue in the air. New Yorkers are keeping a close eye on the city's Air Quality Index due to smoke from Canadian wildfires

Anderson said, however, "I think it's unlikely that there's a direct connection between the smoke and the aphids."

More:News

Recommend

Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week

Friday the 13thdidn’t spook investors with U.S. stocks little changed on the day as investors bided

Taylor Swift Shuts Down Olivia Rodrigo Feud Rumors With Simple Gesture at the 2023 MTV VMAs

There's no bad blood here.Taylor Swift seemingly put rumors to rest of her alleged feud with Olivia

Fishery vessel will try to pull free cruise ship with 206 people on board in Greenland

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Authorities said Wednesday that a fishery vessel will attempt to use the