Low pollution levels could see midge boom

LOWER levels of pollution recorded during the coronavirus pandemic are likely to lead to a breeding boom of the dreaded midge, according to experts.

Numbers of many insect species are expected to soar over the coming months thanks to a decrease in levels of harmful carbon dioxide, pollution from vehicles and a drop-off in road traffic noise.

Unfortunately, that also includes our greatest outdoor irritant – bad news for all those Scots likely to be taking a staycation this year due to coronavirus restrictions on foreign holidays.

Midge expert Dr Alison Blackwell said: “Midges, like other insects, are susceptible to pollution, so the less there is the more midges there will be. That is great news for midges and the birds and bats that feed on them. It may mean a summer of midge hell for people.” Dr Blackwell, who runs the official Scottish Midge Forecast, said: “The mild spell we have entered into now could well bring them out early – especially if the nights warm up. About 7C is the cut-off point for a midge to fly.” Dr Blackwell and her team previously calculated the total number of midges in the Highlands and Islands for the first time. They estimated there were 139billion of them the Highlands and Islands. Half of them were females – only the female midge bites – but not every one of them makes it to maturity. So the number of midges seeking a “blood meal” over the summer is about 21billion.