Here is the forecast... cloudy with big swarms of midges
THEY have been described as “the ultimate blood-sucking machines”. Scotland’s dreaded biting midges have long plagued campers, ramblers and hillwalkers across the countryside, often leaving victims with hundreds of bites.
Now the country has recorded its first spell of midges this year with reports that the beasts are set to “emerge in their masses”.
The Scottish Midge Forecast has launched its 2021 season forecast after recording official sightings of the insects across the country.
This year’s forecast shows some midges have been spotted around Glen Coe and towns including Aberfeldy and Fort William are set to be next in line for visits from midges because they have gone from a rating of “no flies on me” to just “mostly” midge-free.
Researchers say Scotland is expected to see the biggest jump in numbers in about three to four weeks.
The recent high winds have apparently “encouraged” adult survival but, as soon as the warmer weather comes along, the country is set for a “mega hatch”.
The news will not go down well with millions of Scots who are likely to be taking holidays in their native country this year due to the current coronavirus restrictions on foreign holidays. Jay Hutchison, researcher for the forecast group, said: “It’s official, the midges are back.
“With that news, we have now launched the Midge Forecast for the 2021 season.
“We are starting to hear reports of midges coming out in decent numbers around the country.
“We would normally expect the first big bump in numbers around three to four weeks from now, around the beginning to middle of June.
“The weather has been quite wet and windy over the past few weeks, which will encourage adult survival and keep them mostly at bay for just a little longer.
“If the weather takes a turn and summer finally arrives, then the midges will emerge in their masses.”
The midge, Culicoides impunctatus, breeds in vast numbers across large swathes of Scotland, and feasts on blood.
Usually emerging at dawn or dusk, they come out in force, leaving their human victims itching for days.
There are at least 41 different species of biting midge described in the UK, of which 37 are present in Scotland.
Midges have been around since prehistoric times, with dozens of species now spread around the world.
Most don’t bite but the Scottish biting midge is a blood-seeking predator.
Lured to Scotland by mammals at the end of the last ice age, the species has been estimated to be responsible for 90 per cent of all bites on humans in Scotland. Scientists have described how the insects pierce human skin, using their head to gyrate “like a jigsaw power tool”. The tiny insects can then gorge on double their bodyweight in blood before flying off.
Flying midges are estimated to cost Scotland about £286 million annually in tourism, as many tourists who have encountered them vow not to return.
In recent years, Scots have been warned of growing numbers of midges.
Midges typically begin to emerge during the end of May, and in June the female biting midges arrive to kick off the season.
Last month, Dr Alison Blackwell, a midge specialist, said: “Midges like wet and warm weather and that is what is predicted when they emerge in a couple of weeks.
“Already there have been reports of a few early ones about.
“But we could well have a mega hatch because the conditions appear right – and just as tourists head outdoors again. It may mean a summer of midge hell for people.”
Dr Blackwell added: “The winter snow would have been like a big blanket for them, covering the ground where the larvae were buried.
“It is looking good for them, but not for people. Some birds feed on the midges at dawn and dusk, but bats especially do.
“So, the more midges, the better for wildlife – but not for humans.”
Last year, a veteran hiker shared skin-crawling footage showing the “worst swarm of midges he has seen in 20 years”.
Dr Alan Mackie, from Edinburgh, was camping at Gleann an t-slugain, Aberdeenshire, when he was set upon by the mass of midges.
We could well have a mega hatch because the conditions appear right