Following the death of tens of thousands of fish last summer, the Orbetello Lagoon in Tuscany is facing a new ecological crisis, marked by an invasion of midges. The root cause remains the same: excessive fertilizer use. The nitrogen from fertilizers runs off into the water, killing algae and promoting bacterial growth. With the reduction of aquatic plants and increasing bacteria, oxygen levels drop, leading to fish deaths and allowing midge larvae to thrive. The crisis has even spread to the town of Orbetello, which is being overwhelmed by the insects. To combat this, €300,000 has been allocated for pest control, set to conclude on March 27, covering several areas of the lagoon.
The midge invasion in Orbetello began last month, with the insects, particularly chironomid midges, growing larger than typical flies. While these insects do not bite and are not a health threat, their sheer numbers have disrupted daily life, leading to the temporary closure of businesses and public offices. For example, the post office had to close on March 10 due to a “natural disaster.” Mayor Andrea Casamenti warned that if the midges remain for the next three weeks, they could negatively impact local tourism, especially during the upcoming holiday period between Easter and May Day.
Both the town and lagoon are facing midge infestations. Professor Alessandro Miani, president of the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine, explained that the cause lies in the excessive use of fertilizers, which are rich in phosphorus and nitrogen, enriching the lagoon waters with nutrients. This leads to eutrophication, where excessive algae growth consumes oxygen, kills fish, and promotes midge proliferation. Miani emphasized that the root cause of this issue is human behavior.
To combat the midge problem, the regional governor of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, pledged an additional €500,000, on top of the €1.2 million allocated annually. Over the next two days, a €300,000 operation will target both larvae and adult midges. Despite these efforts, Miani warned that relying solely on pest control won't solve the issue. Structural changes are needed, including reducing fertilizer use in the lagoon area and improving water circulation. Overall, Miani stressed the need for more comprehensive environmental care.