Wagga’s recent bug swarms could be the result of low-yielding canola crops and recent thunderstorms, a local entomologist has suggested.
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Dr Joanne Holloway of the Department of Primary Industries research unit has observed increased aphid numbers across the city and believes the seasonal boom could be linked to intermittent rainfall.
“These bugs are primarily aphids and they’re moving on from the canola crops around this time of year,” Dr Holloway said.
“They usually come in waves - there’s good years and bad years with aphids - but with the dry weather and all the flowering going on in town, they’ve been swarming through Wagga the past few weeks.”
Dr Holloway hinted last week’s spike in swarms and accidental bug ingestions around town could also be the result of thunderstorms last Thursday.
“Aphids will often fly ahead of pressure systems and now with the temperature warming up, they’re starting to reproduce en masse,” she said.
“They’re not too much trouble really, though I’ve already eaten a few while cycling and they can be a bit annoying if they crawl on your skin.”
The entomologist was unsure whether the increased bug presence would impact asthmatic residents but Murrumbidgee Local Health District spokesperson Tracey Oakman said great pollen distribution was cause for greater concern.
“Aphids usually to big to cause much trouble for asthmatics ... however thunderstorms release fine particle from pollen that are inhaled more deeply into lungs, making even more people wheeze and sneeze,” Mrs Oakman said.
Flowers and local gardens remain at risk of aphid infestation but nursery worker Maria Ligakis says bug management is simply a seasonal chore.
“Especially at this time of year when roses are coming out, nurseries and gardens are crawling with them,” Mrs Ligakis said.
“Best way to treat them is using white oil or pest oil or you can give them a good spray with the hose.”
