A massive swarm of midges has been captured on camera in Kinross-shire.
Nature-lovers are being urged to go to Loch Leven to see the “amazing” natural spectacle, which is only expected to last for a few days.
The non-biting midges or chironomids do not feed as adults and are only mating while in the swarm. They will then lay their eggs and, if the climate conditions are right, more will hatch again in three weeks’ time.
Gus Routledge, of Scottish Natural Heritage, said the swarm was good news for the local wildlife.
I quite simply can't get over how many non-biting midges are around Loch Leven. Swifts are loving it! #swarm pic.twitter.com/JTmxXiAiM3
— Gus Routledge (@PinkfootedGus) May 12, 2017
Posting online, he said: “I quite simply can’t get over how many non-biting midges are around Loch Leven. Swifts are loving it.
“It is pretty bonkers, looks like smoke above the paths, and they don’t have any discernible taste which is a bonus.”
He added: “I think this is absolutely brilliant and people should come down to see it. It’s an amazing spectacle to witness such a huge number of insects, especially when you think they are fuelling the rest of the ecosystem here.”
The path where the flies have hatched is about a 45-minute walk between the RSPB car park and Loch Leven’s Larder.
