Agricultural Harvest and High Heat Trigger Giant Grasshopper Swarms Across Istanbul Districts
Residents across several Istanbul districts—including Arnavutköy, Sultanbeyli, Beykoz, and Maltepe—have reported an influx of giant grasshopper species. The surge in insect populations has led many householders to keep windows shut, particularly during evening hours when artificial lighting attracts the insects.
According to official assessments and entomologists:
Contributing Factors: The swarm is driven by a combination of high summer temperatures and ongoing agricultural harvesting activities in the neighboring Thrace region, which pushes insects into urban green spaces.
Identified Species: The swarms consist primarily of Saga ephippigera and the Egyptian grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium), with some specimens measuring up to 20 centimeters in length.
Ecological Advisory: Experts emphasize that these grasshopper species pose no biological threat to humans and advise against extermination measures in order to maintain regional ecological balance.
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