Millions of huge insects are wreaking havoc in Nevada. They inspired an entire festival

Foul-smelling Mormon crickets cover the ground in parts of Nevada, an infestation many residents are not happy to experience again.

But some people use it as an excuse to party.

Images from the northern part of the state show undulating roads with brown bugs. In Eureka County, the sheriff’s office said crushed cricket casings mixed with rain caused traffic accidents on the highway.

Elko residents are using leaf blowers to keep crickets away from their front doors, according to ABC4. Others use brooms to make their way to their car.

Named for its shenanigans in Utah’s agricultural region, the Mormon cricket is not a traditional cricket, but a 2-inch terrestrial inhabitant that resembles a large grasshopper, according to the University of Nevada. The Mormon cricket wave has been hitting Nevada for a few years in a row, KSL reports.

According to the university, periods of drought are the cause of these infestations.

Whether it’s the insects’ stench, their sheer numbers, or both, their presence is a deterrent for many Nevadans.

“It’s impacting businesses, it’s making people not want to go out,” Cynthia Shedd told ABC4.

Watching people hide in their homes from bugs gave Shedd and her twin sister, Katherine Kelly, an idea to boost morale.

Together, the duo organized a cricket-themed community event dubbed “CricketCon.”

But initial reactions to the festival were mixed.

“Seriously?” » wrote one person under the organizers’ first Facebook announcement.

“Just like the armpit festival,” wrote another.

Despite some people’s concern, a list of local vendors and nonprofits got involved. On Friday, June 14, CricketCon was in session, filled with activities, cricket-themed snacks, cricket-inspired headbands, and a celebrity cricket-eating show where the person who raised the most money for charity ate a food grade cricket. in front of a cheering crowd.

“We had such a fun time with all of you, great people! Thank you to all the amazing people who helped,” reads the CricketCon event page.

“CricketCon was awesome, hope we can do it again next year,” one attendee wrote.

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