Millions of Americans are plagued with bugs this summer, from spotted lambflies in the Northeast to aphids in New York City and mosquitoes in Los Angeles.
Here, we introduce the invasion status of major insects.
tick
The number of eight-legged disease-carrying animals peaks each year in early July, and this year’s numbers tend to be particularly concentrated.
“If the tick season seems to be getting longer and worse, it is because it is. Because it really is.” Time magazine reported at the end of last month. The magazine reported that more ticks were found in the Northeast and upper Midwest.
Black-footed mites, which are endemic in these areas, are causing outbreaks this year due to oak trees. A lot of acorns have grown In 2021, more food will be provided to mice and chipmunks, which in turn will provide more food to ticks.
“Now those ticks are ready for a second bite.” The New York Times eerily pointed out last week.
Climate change will also tend to increase tick infestations over the long term, and warmer springs and autumns will tend to lengthen tick seasons.
Black-legged mites — from the Northeast 43 states — have Lyme disease, which can cause debilitating symptoms such as severe headaches, facial paralysis, and arthritis.
“Lyme disease (a bacterial infection spread by the bites of black-footed and deer ticks) was diagnosed 17% higher in the first week of June than a year ago.” data From Athena Health, a healthcare technology company.” CNN reported last Saturday.
Lyme isn’t the only tick-borne disease, and it’s not the only tick-borne disease on the rise this year. “Another disease that public health officials want people to be aware of for the 2023 tick season is babesiosis,” It was reported on the “Today” program in June. “A March 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found an increase in the incidence of a new disease in eight northeastern states. It causes no symptoms, but has a 1% to 2% chance of being fatal.”
spotted lamb fly
The Northeast is also the epicenter of a new infestation of water beetles that can feed on and kill trees, including fruit trees, posing a serious threat to industries such as logging and agriculture.
Madara lambo infestations now occur in all Delaware and New Jersey counties, 51 of 67 New York counties, parts of Ohio, and most of Pennsylvania. According to a recent report from Axios. on monday, The website Gothamist reported With fewer cold nights due to climate change, “New York is seeing more lanterns than planned.” (New York City is also in contention) swarm of aphidssmall, annoying but harmless flying insects that are often mistaken for gnats, but scientists say the insects are likely to emerge unusually early. Winters in this region are mild,. )
Rambobo is native to Asia and was first identified in the United States in 2014. It now lives along the East Coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina.
“Landfly outbreaks are easy,” says Frank Hale, professor of horticultural crop entomology at the University of Tennessee. I wrote in my 2021 conversation.
Residents of cities such as New York and Philadelphia are encouraged to squash bugs they find.
mosquito
Blood-sucking flies are a common summer nuisance, but this year has been particularly bad for mosquitoes in some parts of the country.
In Orange County, California, government-run traps catch three times more mosquitoes than average. According to Associated Press. Who is the culprit? Heavy rains in California last winter.
The county has deployed drones to drop bacterial spore pellets that kill mosquito larvae.
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, record numbers Number of calls and emails about mosquito activity. the organization said That’s because the droughts of 2021 and 2022 prevented the larvae from hatching, and they’re emerging now that rainfall has returned.
Mosquito bites are usually just a nuisance, but they can carry serious illnesses, especially in warmer climates. In recent years, dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya fever have become prevalent. Detected According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has occurred in states and territories such as Florida, Hawaii, Texas and Puerto Rico. The CDC also confirmed four deaths last month in Florida and one in Texas. Locally infected malariaIt has been popular in the US since 2003.
To minimize the risk of mosquito-borne illness, the CDC recommends removing standing water from the premises and using insect repellent.
