'Trying to allow humans and mayflies to co-exist': A search for solution to swarms
Madeline Crocenzi
The mayflies are on their way back, but one professor is looking into possible solutions.
Dr. John Wallace, an entomologist and professor at Millersville University, is studying the mayflies this summer along the Route 462 bridge connecting Columbia and Wrightsville.
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The point is to see if there are other alternatives to turning the bridge lights off, which has happened in the past and will happen again this year.
Wallace said a student will go to the bridge to look at the density of mayflies during their emergence period and collect data while the lights are on and off. The student will look at the swarm piles underneath the lights and try to determine how many mayflies there are per square foot, Wallace said.
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After the student collects this preliminary data, Wallace wants to look at possible solutions including changing the color of the lights or putting illuminated buoys on the water to draw the mayflies away from the bridge.
"What we’re trying to do here is trying to allow humans and mayflies to co-exist," Wallace said.
More:Route 462 bridge: To close or not for upcoming rehabilitation project?
Mayflies that die on the river surface are a food source for fish, Wallace said. If he can find a way to pull the mayflies out toward the water, they will help the ecosystem and keep the bugs away from humans.
Right now, Wallace doesn't have any funding for the project. However, he hopes to get some after the preliminary data is done. He said the bridge is due for a renovation, and that would be the time to make a mayfly change.
"If they’re going to re-do this bridge, the idea is they’re going to re-do the bridge and re-do the lighting system to facilitate or reduce the mayfly problems," Wallace said.
Wrightsville Borough Councilman Eric White said he'd like to see lights placed on the underside of the bridge to draw the mayflies away from the top.
"We just want to keep them off the bridge," White said.
Also of interest, a gallery of photos below:
