(Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / Getty)
(CLEVELAND) - It's the time of year again, when thousands of tiny flying insects invade northeast Ohio. While there are several species, one of the best known are called "midges." Amy Lemonds, the Director of Wildlife at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, said the midges only live for about 20 to 24 hours after emerging from the waters of Lake Erie, but they're a good sign.
"Poor water quality in Lake Erie would not allow for the growth of these valuable animals," Lemonds said. "Good water quality means we'll have an abundance of them. They're great for the birds, they're great fertilizer, and they don't bite."
Lemonds noted that midges are different from mayflies, which typically come later in May.