Outbreaks of May beetle populations are cyclical and occur every 4–5 years (this is related to the peculiarities of their generations' development). Due to differences in climate and soil in different regions of Latvia, these peaks may not coincide in years.
This season, due to the cold weather at the end of April and prolonged rains, the emergence of insects was delayed. As a result, they emerged not gradually, but simultaneously, creating the effect of a mass invasion.
The sudden warming has made the beetles hyperactive — in warm weather, they fly much more energetically and frequently. At night, the insects lose their will in front of bright streetlights and lamps, gathering under them by the hundreds.
"This is a normal phenomenon for our nature, not exceeding the norm. Some pests have much larger multi-year fluctuations in population, such as the winter moth and the gypsy moth. In certain years, their numbers exceed the background by hundreds or even thousands of times. This is not observed with the May beetle. The localized population is rising this year, but it will be reduced next year," biologists explained.
With a high population of May beetles, insectivorous birds, hedgehogs, and other animals will always be well-fed. Even many fish during this period stop taking any other bait and respond only to the imitation of a May beetle falling on the water.
May beetles are completely harmless to humans and pets.
The invasion period will not last long. Considering the somewhat extended period of the beetles' summer, it is likely that by mid-June, only the last individuals of the May beetle will be seen.
