Flies attack Russian city like apocalypse

A Russian city is being invaded by a flying insect that makes it look like the end of the world.

The flies have covered the sky and covered the ground in the port city of Taganrog, southern Russia, about 60km from the Ukrainian border, the Daily Mail reported.

Insects parked on the road surface create a slippery layer about 0.3cm thick, causing pedestrians to fall, cars slipping.

The lifespan of the fly flies lasts only 2-5 days and they flap their wings 1,000 times per second.

A clip posted online shows the hand of a man caught by the flies, but fortunately the insect does not burn people.

Non-burning flies , the scientific name is Chironomidae , born in small lakes near the city. Local people said they had never seen so many flies after a hot and humid summer.

"It's scary to go out in the evening because they rush into all the lights," said Olga Shustrova. "Thank God they didn't bite you. The city used to be invaded by insects last year but much less than this year."

Now the locals are praying for cool weather to let these insects disappear. The lifespan of the fly flies lasts only two to five days and they flap their wings 1,000 times per second to produce a distinctive sound, experts say.