Flying visit: Lang Toun plagued by short-lived guests

Kirkcaldy has come under attack from an army of flies this week.

Residents have said they have never before seen so many St Mark’s flies in the town centre, after the insects emerged to mate.

It is thought the swarms have been prompted by the warm weather, although the flies only live for around one week.

Kirkcaldy resident James Ritchie told The Courier: “It has never been this bad before. I was at the ATM, getting money out, and they were all over it.

“I was speaking to a woman in the bakers and they were covering a car outside as well.”

Few shoppers have walked down the town’s High Street without having to swat flies away from them, while shops have also reported problems with keeping the insects out.

Richard Smith, team leader at Fife Council’s biodiversity and natural heritage team, said the problem should cease shortly.

“These are St Mark’s Flies,” he said. “They start emerging to mate around late April.

“They are harmless and should only last for about one week.”