Invasion of Winged Aphids: Mysterious Bug Swarms Blanket New York City

Swarms of small gnat-like insects, identified as aphids, have been observed in New York City, particularly in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The sudden arrival of high temperatures, increased humidity, and recent rainfall has created the right environmental conditions for their population to explode. While they may be a nuisance, these insects do not pose a known public health risk, according to the New York City Department of Health.