2016 NYC Summer Heat Wave: Cockroaches Flying to Cool Off in Hot Weather
Cockroaches are Flying in the NYC Summer Heat Wave
To escape the summer heat wave, the cockroaches in NYC have started flying.
Experts say that cockroaches are capable of flying and lately, the heat wave is giving them reasons to use their wings. There has been a lot of sightings of flying cockroaches in NYC, especially this summer with temperatures reaching up to 90s and even triple digits in some parts of the US.
'Flying' Cockroaches Trying to Get Comfortable
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Cockroaches know how to fly, but it is rare for them to use their wings. According to NBC News, these pests are flying because they are looking higher up for comfortable places. Cockroaches stay on the ground when the temperatures reach around 68 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. However, once it is more than 85 degrees, the cockroaches take off into the air because of the increased heat and humidity.
"Because of the extreme heat, they may be trying to find a more comfortable place in which to live," Srini Kambhampati of the University of Texas said. "That is, they are on the move to find a better, cooler place. High temperatures cause insects to use up a lot of energy."
According to another expert, cockroaches can sense humidity, even in the air. The more heat there is, the more cockroaches tend to use their muscles and their chances of flying. The 'flying cockroaches' phenomenon has been very active in the 2016 NYC summer heat wave so far and people have been posting about it online, according to CNBC.
American Cockroaches Don't Really 'Fly'
A report by Huffington Post read that not all kinds of cockroaches can fly and that there are mainly two types of these bugs that live in New York City: German and American cockroaches. The German cockroaches are the ones that dwell in sinks and dishwashers, while the American cockroaches are the ones that can be seen in bathtubs and basements; and yes, they are the ones that can fly.
American cockroaches don't really "fly" as in the traditional definition of the word like bees and birds do, but rather glide through small distances using their wings. Nevertheless, while cockroaches are treated mostly as pests, they actually help out a lot in the environment. They are one of those responsible in helping biodegradable stuff decay back to the ground.
Do you believe that cockroaches are more than just pests? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
