Erzurum insect swarms identified as aphids

Large groups of small insects flying in open spaces and green areas in Erzurum have caused concern among residents. While many initially suspected the insects were flies, experts have identified them as aphids, also known as afits.

Prof. Dr. Önder Çalmaşur, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Atatürk University, stated that these insects pose no threat to human health. He explained that aphids are approximately 3 to 4 millimeters in size, have soft bodies, and range in color from green to black. They feed by sucking the sap from various plants.

The sudden increase in visible flying insects is due to their life cycle. While they typically remain wingless during the summer, winged male and female forms emerge in the autumn to mate and migrate to host plants, such as roses or grasses, to lay eggs for the winter. Their slow, heavy flight patterns often cause them to land on people, which has contributed to public unease.