Tin Shui Wai residents buzzing over mysterious insect swarm

In Tin Shui Wai, near Tin Chung Court, residents recently witnessed an unusual phenomenon—a dense swarm of insects resembling a shower of fermented black beans. The spectacle quickly captured the attention of the local community.

A homeowner managed to record the event on video from approximately the 20th floor of Tin Chung Court, with Tin Ching Estate visible in the background, and shared it on a Facebook group dedicated to Tin Shui Wai residents. This sparked both curiosity and concern among viewers.

Flies vs bees

The video shows the swarm in great detail, leading to significant online discussion. Some speculated that the presence of decaying organic matter nearby might have attracted the insects. The person who recorded the video believed the insects to be flies, sparking a debate among viewers with some suggesting they might be bees.

The tenant who filmed the incident remarked that the insects resembled flies and expressed relief as they began to disperse. "Fortunately, we had installed window screens," the tenant added, thankful to see the insects fly away. When asked whether they were flies or bees, the tenant noted that only one insect came close enough to be clearly identified as a fly.

Another local resident confirmed they were flies, mentioning that two had entered their home. However, some still maintained that the insects appeared large like bees and continued to suspect they might have been bees.

Amidst the debate, some netizens proposed that the insects could have been bees undergoing a division of their hive, a natural occurrence known as swarming, which typically starts around this time of the year. Alternatively, others suggested that if the area was near a landfill, the insects might have been black soldier flies, known for feeding on organic waste.

The incident has certainly left the community abuzz with various theories, yet the true identity of the insects remains a lively topic of debate.