A brave reporter for Iceland’s public broadcasting ran into some technical difficulties when attempting to broadcast from Mývatn, or “Midge Lake”, in North Iceland.
“It’s not new that midges are stirring around Mývatn,” Jón begins. “But this is an unusual-” and is immediately cut off, coughing on midges he has inhaled.
Midges have in recent years been increasing in number around Mývatn, and are most active in the summer. While the lake midge is mostly just annoying to deal with, the black fly does bite. These bites are not especially painful, but that does not make them particularly pleasant, either.
If you choose to visit Mývatn this summer, bear in mind these conditions, and perhaps treat yourself to bug spray to keep the majority of these flies at bay.