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Vampire butterflies ‘invade’ homes in Turkish city
Vampire butterflies ‘invade’ homes in Turkish city
A pest species, dubbed the “vampire butterfly,” has started to spread into homes at higher elevations in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Rize. Click through for the story in photos...
Ricania simulans planthoppers had first spread from Georgia to the shores of Turkey’s Black Sea region earlier this year.
The species sucks water out of plants, hence its name, and were also seen in Istanbul last month.
Local media reported on Sept. 4 that the planthoppers are now seen in higher elevations of Rize, too, spreading into homes.
“This is really a monster species. They have ruined many of our plants, including tea and grapes,” Fındıklı Organic Fruit Producers Association head Mehmet Gürkan reportedly said.
The pest is not directly harmful to humans but it creates a carcinogen when it comes into contact with chlorine in the water.
Locals in Rize also calls its recent invasion “annoying” as Ricania simulans is attracted by light and residents have to sweep their floors several times a day to clean masses of dead butterflies.
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