This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Epic Las Vegas Grasshopper Invasion Caught On Weather Radar

Massive swarms of the winged critters have settled over the city, and they could linger for weeks, experts say.

A grasshopper invasion of seemingly biblical proportions has engulfed Las Vegas, with the clouds of tiny winged creatures becoming so large that they can be seen on weather radar.

On Saturday, the city’s National Weather Service branch shared footage of the radar on Twitter, noting that it is picking up “biological targets.” In this case, that means bugs.

The mass migration of the insects is being attributed to an unseasonably wet spring marked by higher-than-average rainfall, which has already exceeded the city’s roughly 4-inch annual average.

To make matters worse, experts say the critters could linger for weeks, and it might not be until the desert dries up, leaving them without food, that they move out, The New York Times reported.

However, aside from being a nuisance, they pose no threat.

According to CBS News, Jeff Knight, a Nevada state entomologist, pointed out that grasshoppers don’t carry diseases and don’t bite, and they’re unlikely to cause any damage to backyards before they leave.

Apocalyptic-looking videos of the infestation posted on Twitter by local media show swarms enveloping entire parking lots and the iconic Las Vegas Strip.

Residents hoping to keep the grasshoppers at bay are advised to swich off any ultraviolet outdoor lights, and opt instead for amber or low UV replacements, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.