Millions Of Mayflies Swarm Streets Of Pennsylvania City

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Millions of Mayflies Swarm Streets of Pennsylvania City

Published: August 19, 2026

A Pennsylvania city was briefly overwhelmed by an unusual natural phenomenon when millions of freshly hatched mayflies swarmed streets, sidewalks and areas around streetlights.

The massive swarm descended on Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where the insects were drawn to artificial lights after emerging from nearby waterways.

A Swarm Takes Over the Streets

Local television host Chris Bohinski ventured outside and experienced the phenomenon firsthand, braving the enormous cloud of insects as mayflies filled the air and covered portions of the streets.

Bohinski later spoke with Inside Edition's Steven Fabian about what it was like to find himself surrounded by millions of the tiny flying insects.

While the sight was startling, the mayflies were not expected to remain for long.

Mayflies Have Extremely Short Lives

Mayflies are known for their remarkably short adult lifespans. After spending much of their lives developing in freshwater, they emerge, reproduce and die within a very short period.

In some cases, adult mayflies live for only about 24 hours.

That short life cycle meant the dramatic swarm was temporary.

Millions of Dead Mayflies the Next Morning

When Bohinski returned to the area the following morning, the scene had changed dramatically.

Instead of insects filling the sky, millions of dead mayflies covered portions of the roadway, leaving what looked like a blanket of insects across the pavement.

The unusual event may have been shocking to residents, but it was ultimately a brief part of the insects' natural life cycle.

For Wilkes-Barre residents, however, it was certainly a sight to remember—and one that turned ordinary city streets into the center of an extraordinary natural spectacle.

Source: Inside Edition