Swarms of bees invade New York

NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- Two large swarms of bees have caused a buzz in New York with experts saying it is proof the city may be invaded by the flying pests in coming months.

"We are seeing more colonies surviving in the wild and surviving well enough that they swarm. Things are getting better for bees," said James Fischer, volunteer beekeeper for the Bronx Zoo.

Fischer said he's had legitimate reports of two swarms of bees in New York's Manhattan borough this spring, the New York Post reported Monday.

It is reported the first swarm halted traffic when it flew to a newspaper container May 7, while the second swarm of about 15,000 bees was seen Thursday near a tree.

Large dark clouds of drones may appear threatening, but they are "harmless" right now because the bees are working intently to find a place to live, Fischer said.