Imagine a place where the air is sweet with the scent of wine and olive trees, but the sky is dark with a plague of tiny insects. This is the reality in Tuscany, where a massive swarm of midges has invaded the region, causing chaos and disrupting the local tourism industry.
The midges, which are similar to gnats, have arrived 20 days earlier than usual, and their sheer numbers are overwhelming. They blanket everything in sight, from car windshields to building walls, making it difficult for people to venture outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk.
To put this into perspective, imagine driving down a picturesque Italian road, only to have your windshield covered in a thick layer of tiny, black insects. It’s like something out of a horror movie.
The mayor of the affected town has announced an unprecedented allocation of 300,000 euros (approximately 11 million baht) to combat the issue, but the specifics of the plan are still unclear.
So, what’s behind this infestation? According to the president of the local fishermen’s cooperative, the midge invasion might be connected to a massive fish die-off last year. Normally, fish feed on the midge larvae, keeping their numbers in check. However, the fish deaths could be linked to low oxygen levels in the lake, which may be caused by poor maintenance of the canals connecting the lake to the sea.
The cooperative is now calling for urgent investment in infrastructure to improve the lake’s ecosystem.
So, what are these midges, and why are they such a problem? They’re tiny, mosquito-like insects that can cause painful bites, leading to red, itchy bumps or even blisters. While they’re generally harmless, their sheer numbers are causing significant disruptions to daily life and the local economy.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: Tuscany’s tourism industry is facing a major challenge. Will the authorities be able to find a solution to this problem, or will the midges continue to plague the region? Only time will tell.
Source: AP