Swarms of midges have become a headache at the World Exposition in Osaka, causing visitors to cringe and raising concerns about possible health issues.
The small flies have been found on walls and the pillars of the wooden Grand Ring encircling many of the pavilions, with people forced to fight them off to avoid swallowing them.
"It shocked me when they landed on the bread I was eating. There are so many of them around and it's disgusting," said Toma Masatani, a 23-year-old graduate school student visiting the expo with friends from Saitama.
While the midges at the expo do not bite, dead ones can cause asthma and other allergic reactions if inhaled.
"Wearing a face mask is advisable for those with asthma," said Koichiro Kawai, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University specializing in the species. He added that electronic insect killers and insecticides are effective in getting rid of them.
The insects are believed to be emerging from the Water Plaza in the southern part of the venue, where seawater is stored. Noting they are possibly of marine origin, Kawai said they could persist until the end of autumn.
The expo organizer is taking action, spraying insecticide in locations where the midges are spotted, treating areas where rainwater tends to accumulate with a growth inhibitor and installing insect repellent lights.
Osaka Gov Hirofumi Yoshimura has also sought cooperation from insecticide maker Earth Corp to counter the midges.
"We will fulfill our role of contributing to the expo's success by utilizing the knowledge and technology we have cultivated," the company said.
© KYODO
14 Comments
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falseflagsteve
Another thing the silly twits didn’t make consideration of. Wait until the real hit weather and humidity kicks in, blimey! Them midges will be all over the bleeding place.
Laguna
Not good for their plan ti turn the site into a housing project following the exposition.
Aoi Azuuri
Reclamation work for holding this Expo with building casino had destroyed delicate balance of local ecosystem despite the theme "the lives shining".
kurisupisu
Having a large building site next door and according to Asahi newspaper
”The island was reclaimed from incinerated ash and dredged sediment generated from a river bottom. It is at risk of soil contamination, liquefaction and land subsidence.”
There are all sorts of mysteries on the island and flies are just part of the package.
sakurasuki
Even during expo, the latest Japan technology still can't be used to repel insects.
grc
Gosh, and the expo was going so well…
Yubaru
Another reason why not to go!
OssanAmerica
One would think that the Expo organizers would have been aware of these midges when they chose the location. Maybe they'll be gone June 6th - July 19 is going to be wet. August will be fun too with an average 32-34C.
Jerry
Sounds awful!
A Japanese friend visited last week and reported having a horrible time because of the crowds. Regretted the entire experience.
tora
Yep, rght from the start I was saying the thing wss cursed. A plague of locusts is next.
nosushiforyou
Looks like the midges finally came back from an extended Golden Week vacation. Well, at least they will probably go on vacation during the week of Obon, so make your plans to visit then! LOL!
One other suggestion, to the organizers of the event.
Rather than that ugly red and blue amoeba-ponde-ringu donut mascot of the Expo, this could be a new Expo mascot...
Mijji-kun (the new cute midge Kansai Expo mascot)!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!
proxy
Harmless bugs are harmless.
travelbangaijin
Untreated still water is the first thing that comes to mind.
William Mirrielees
Good thing these midgets are not like those from Scotland. The one's in Scotland bite.