In recent days, residents in various areas of Henan province have been reporting a proliferation of “small white bugs” that are causing significant inconvenience in their daily lives. These tiny bugs, which swarm in groups and infiltrate all spaces, have made it difficult for residents to travel and go about their routines.
According to a netizen from Luyi County, Zhoukou City, Henan province, a video posted on August 16 showed swarms of bugs flying everywhere, making it hard to keep one’s eyes open even, causing even the vendors to refrain from frying their snacks. Students in the area have mentioned that their campus was infested with these bugs during military training, making it challenging to avoid them while walking around.
The city of Zhengzhou has recently been flooded with complaints on social media about the pesky “small white bugs”. Many residents have lamented, “After parking the car for a while, a thin layer of bugs settles on the windshield.” “There are too many of them, they are everywhere in the neighborhood and on the streets, and their numbers seem to be increasing.” “It’s unbearable, with the cottonwood fluff in May and the small white bugs in September, making it impossible to enjoy outdoor activities during the cool weather, which is frustrating.”
“Why haven’t we seen them on the streets before, but suddenly this year they are everywhere?” “My son already suffers from allergic rhinitis, and his condition has worsened these past few days, with swollen eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, and headaches. Medication doesn’t seem to help, could it be because of these bugs?”
According to a report by Dahe Newspaper on September 13, the “small white bugs” are scientifically known as whiteflies, a type of pest that affects both gardens and crops. While they have been present in small numbers, there has been a sudden and visible outbreak recently, reaching a level where they are difficult to ignore.
Insect experts suggest that whiteflies thrive in temperatures between 25°C and 30°C, with relative humidity levels of 60% to 80%. The continuous heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou recently has provided the perfect “incubator” for the whiteflies, leading to an exponential increase in their population.
This phenomenon is not limited to Zhengzhou alone. According to information released by various municipal landscaping departments, since late August, several cities in Henan province such as Pingdingshan, Shangqiu, Luohe, and Kaifeng have also entered the peak period of whitefly infestation and have initiated control measures.
However, some netizens argue that the primary reason for this outbreak is not what the authorities claim, but rather due to the ban on burning crop residues in rural areas. They believe that if crop residue burning were allowed, it would eliminate many pests, including the whitefly.
As for the impact of the “small white bugs” on human health, the head of the Insect Department at Henan Agricultural University’s Plant Protection College stated to “Dareference” that the bugs do not harm humans as their main food source is plant sap. However, individuals with allergies might experience adverse reactions if they accidentally inhale them or come into contact with their skin.