Swarms of Insects Hung Out in the Australian Outback, But Why?

Thousands of slater bugs were seen on cam traveling across red soil in the heart of the Australian Outback at Quilpie, Australia, a town in Eastern Australia about 600 miles west of Brisbane. The sheer quantity of creepy crawlies scurrying over the ground gave the impression that the Earth's surface was moving.

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(Photo : Getty Images)

According to Storyful, slater bugs, also known as roly-polyies, woodlice, or pill bugs, are multi-legged, land-dwelling crustaceans found in damp locations worldwide, including the United States.

Swarming Insects

Wendy Sheehan, who shared the video on her Instagram page, stated that his chooks (chickens) love eating them when they get the chance, but he's never seen anything eat them while they're out in the open and on the move like this.

Sheehan speculated that the endless stream of bugs had opted to scurry across rural Australia due to recent rainfall.

"I'm not sure if it's because of the 5 mm [rain] we got last night, or because we're expecting rain or some entirely unrelated bug reason," Sheehan added.

The video was released on March 14, and the weather in Quilpie had been stormy in the days leading up to it. A MinuteCast notice from the AccuWeather app, which warns users of impending rain and storms, may have alerted the slater bugs to seek cover. Alternatively, the bugs may have been encouraged to cross the road to go to the other side.

A bug that looks like it belongs in Australia is anticipated to move up and down the East Coast in the United States. The big but harmless Joro spider, which is thought to have arrived in the United States from Japan, is projected to expand northward this year.

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Why Insects Swarms

Termites, bees, and flies are among the many insects that swarm, and swarms may be a nuisance to humans. But why is that?

Swarming happens for various reasons, including reproduction, defense, and migration.

Insect Behavior

On warm summer evenings, stationary swarming can be seen over or near water and shorelines. The size and height of the swarm vary per species, although the swarm itself can be low-flying and wide, with up to 200 individuals. Because these are medium-sized insects, any swarm is difficult to overlook.

Swarming is a normal element of insect activity, although it may be problematic for humans. When insects swarm, they may sometimes make their way into houses or properties. Although a swarm of butterflies settling down on your land isn't a significant concern, dealing with a swarm of termites or mosquitoes is different.