Toronto's spring has arrived, and even the midges are in their "mating season"!
If you've been taking a walk by the lake or in the park in Toronto recently, you may have encountered swarms of small flying insects, and might have accidentally swallowed a few. These bugs are the annoying midges (Chironomidae).
Luckily, these insects do not bite, but they can be quite bothersome.
These tiny flying insects that form "cloud-like" clusters belong to the Chironomidae family. They usually begin to appear in large numbers around mid-April each year, and they are particularly good at flying into people's faces, getting tangled in hair, and even being accidentally swallowed while chatting or cycling.
This "midge invasion" occurs almost every spring in the Toronto waterfront area. With rising temperatures, the first wave of midges has already appeared, and social media is now filled with complaints.
Although they are annoying, they actually play an important role in the ecosystem of Lake Ontario. They live as larvae at the bottom of the water, feeding on sediment and organic debris. After maturing, they collectively rise to the surface and emerge all at once.
The majority of midges flying in the air are male, waiting for females to pass by for mating. This is a brief, annoying yet intense "celebration," after which their adult stage ends quickly, leaving piles of dead midges accumulating on balconies and porches.
Luckily, the life cycle of midges is very short; each adult typically lives only a few days, with the longest not exceeding a few weeks. However, since different species of midges hatch at different times, Toronto often experiences several midge surges throughout the summer and even into September.
Midges are harmless to humans, and they also play a crucial role in the ecosystem, serving as an important food source for fish, birds, and other aquatic animals.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830608489385984/
Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author.