Mayfly Invasion Forces Drivers To Abandon Cars, Causes Accidents

These creepy insects swarmed an Illinois roadway, creating terrible road conditions. Even though it’s June, these mayflies invaded a bridge in Havana and blanketed the pavement so thickly that police officers say travel across it has become perilous.

“At one point they had piled 6 inches high and when ran over, became very slick,” the Havana Police Department wrote on Facebook along with photos of the squirm-inducing swarm.

According to police, multiple motorcycle accidents were caused by the sludge left over when the carpet of bugs was run over by passing vehicles.

The police later released a post saying that cars were getting stuck on the bridge, so motorists should exercise caution and avoid the bridge if possible.

Mayflies are extremely short-lived insects that start their lives in the water then mature into flying adults with a lifespan as short as a half hour. While their mass hatch events can cause havoc, mayflies do not harm humans and are a vital part of the Mississippi River’s ecosystem. Mayflies are also an important indicator of pollution because they can only thrive in very clean water.

Mayflies are known for having very short lifespans, maturing into adults within an hour. Like this one, mass hatching can wreak havoc on locals. Thankfully, the insects aren’t harmful to humans, and are actually a very important part of the Mississippi River’s ecosystem. They can only thrive in pristine water conditions, so this occurrence is a clear indicator of pollution.