The story behind the insect that's swarming near water this year

For the last couple of weeks, residents of parts of the Midlands near water have had to endure swarms of these insects.

The insects have been reported near water around the Shannon in Athlone, on Lough Ree and further afield in areas including Lough Ennell.

They are duckflies and they usually hatch in March and April.

Given their name because they are often eaten in moutfuls by ducks along the water’s surface, they are particularly popular with fly fisherman at this time of year.

Their life cycle begins as eggs in underwater holes, then as bloodworms, through to pupae slowly rising through the water and finally as  flies, after their wings develop.

They are harmless and are nothing more than an irritant to humans.

This year, though, there has been an abundance of the duckflies – a fact attributed to the mild winter. They are known to swarm in large groups and are driven by the prevailing winds – which may also have contributed to their current abundance in the midlands.

Although their hatching season varies from water to water, it’s rare they go beyond the middle of April.