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A plane carrying dozens of reporters preparing to take off from Washington, DC to cover President Biden’s first overseas trip was delayed for several hours on Tuesday evening.
A swarm of cicadas was obviously trying to hitchhike in Europe with the press.
A horde of Brood X cicadas had filled the aircraft’s engines, causing mechanical problems that delayed take-off. Eventually, White House aides had to find another plane for reporters to travel overseas, according to the Associated Press.
The spooky creatures, which arise from the ground every 17 years, are at their peak of mating season from the East Coast to the Midwest. During their few weeks above ground, they caused a lot of nuisance to pets and humans.
Aside from their cacophonous noise, the big-eyed bugs have been accused of causing digestive problems in pets and were responsible for a car crash in Cincinnati this week. An insect broke through an open window, hitting the Cincinnati driver in the face, causing him to crash into a utility pole, local police said. The driver sustained minor injuries, but totaled the car.
In Washington, DC, swarms of flying insects even appeared as a “blur,” usually reserved for light rain or snow, on weather radars this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Until adult cicadas die after mating in late July, it may be safer to avoid cars and planes.
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