If you walk through New York and notice a dark cloud over your head, rest assured it's not the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. It's probably just thousands of little bugs!
Confused residents on Wednesday evening noticed dark clouds in the sky that turned out to be thousands of tiny gnat-like insects. Just before dawn, the little bugs filled the skies, small enough to get caught in people's beards, get into their noses, and more.
Rest assured, it's not a biblical plague (yet). According to experts, they're aphids, and their populations can greatly increase when exposed to the right conditions. For New Yorkers, a perfect blend of humidity, rain and high temperatures has made them the perfect target for the flying insects to make a home.
In good news, unlike the spotted lanternflies that terrified countless people, aphids don't seem to pose danger to the environment or humans. In a statement released by the New York Department of Health, they put everyone's mind at ease: "While this may be annoying, these insects do not present a known public health risk. We are looking into these bugs and will share any important health information."
The terrifying sight comes alongside news that Canadian wildfire smoke has returned to the city, with haze and poor air quality returning to the city with a vengeance.
