VIDEO: Iceland’s “Midge Lake” Lives Up To Its Name

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.

Mývatn is well known for being a veritable festival for the humble midge, a fly native to Iceland that is particularly fond of this region of the country. Jón Þór Kristjánsson, a reporter for Iceland’s public broadcasting RÚV, ran into some technical problems when attempting to report on the swarms currently around the lake, as can be seen in the following video:

“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.