It’ll be bite of summer for multiplying midges

WHILE many of us will be desperate for lockdown to ease in time for the milder spring weather, the fresh air may carry extra bite this year.

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.

‘Some birds feed on them at dawn and dusk but bats especially do. So the more midges the better for wildlife – but not for people.’

Dr Blackwell’s predictions followed the publication of a report by ecologists, which suggested that many insect birth rates would increase this spring thanks to improvements in air quality.

On a positive note, the study suggested Scotland’s songbirds could also be in for a bumper year because of the increased harvest of insects they feed on.

Debbie Bassett, biodiversity strategy manager at NatureScot, told The Sunday Post: ‘We’re anticipating the insect rate will be much higher.

‘We think we’ll have an increased number of bird chicks because the parents have been in better condition as there has been more food about.

‘That could be one of the big positives that comes out of reduced air pollution.’