Swarms of tiny black flies are having 'giant mating party'

Ever been swarmed by a cloud of microscopic black flies while out biking or having a picnic?

Well, you may be surprised to find out that these bugs — otherwise known as non-biting midges —  are having "a giant mating party."

Those are the words used by entomology Chris Cloutier, Master's student at McGill University and a Morgan Arboretum naturalist, to describe the phenomenon.

"All the males form giant mating balls, or mating swarms, and the females will look for those giant swarms. And then they come in to it and throughout all the chaos will try and select males who have more impressive flight patterns, or are slightly larger. They're looking for sexual traits," Cloutier told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.

Daybreak Montreal5:17Debunking myths about midges

Ever wonder about those clouds of tiny flies that hover around your head in the summer months? Naturalist and entomology masters student Chris Cloutier breaks down the myths and explains how midges use your head as a stage for mating.

He said these swarms of midges can be observed anytime from May to September, but seem to currently be at the height of their activity.

They're most common near standing or running water.

But why swarm near people when they're on a mating mission?

"The swarm is the first step, it initiates the mating process," Cloutier said.

"They're using you as a stage for this mating display."

But why? Cloutier said it's simply because a person is a tall object in a mostly flat landscape — making people sort-of lightning posts for the mating midges. 

Once gathered in the swarm, the midges begin copulating — while flying.

Cloutier said the best way to avoid them is to get down as low as possible to blend into the background.

"One piece of advice is be with someone else, and just pretend to tie your shoe and they'll move over to your friend," Cloutier said.