Photo: BRIDGET BENNETT / AFP / Getty Images
At the end of July 2019 a strange phenomenon occurred in Las Vegas: millions of grasshoppers invaded the city , especially the most illuminated areas. The event that lasted several days caused an impact, a certain dose of fascination and and also horror.
At the highest point of the invasion, around Las Vegas and its surroundings on 26 July 2019.
It was only a few days ago that experts in the field concluded that l changes in the environment carried out or induced by humans continue to impact regional insect populations .
According to published study , it is the first macro-scale characterization of the effects of urban night lighting on insects.
Las Vegas is the most illuminated city in the world , but when insects began to appear in the city it was thought that the main reason was that the previous winter had been wetter than usual, leading to superlative reproduction rates.
Giant Swarm of Grasshoppers Takes Over Las Vegas – The New York Times https://t.co/lyU 26 RqIzS
– Michael G Smart (@ MichaelGSmart4) March 31, 2021
The grasshoppers were attracted by what is known as a dome of light projected in the sky, which can be detected hundreds of miles away. As night fell, the grasshoppers headed for the illuminated areas .
30. 2 metric tons of grasshoppers swarmed Las Vegas the night of July 26 th, 2019. pic.twitter.com/LeFtEsGR6U
– Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) March 31, 2021
There were so many grasshoppers that they were even appreciated on radars like a cloud.