New York City's 2016 summer heat wave could soon be channeling strange behavior patterns. Beyond the sweltering hot temperatures and hard-to-bear climates, forecasts also point to an unusual activity among the insect community. More specifically, don't be surprised if you detect a flying cockroach or two in the sweat-filled days to come.

"In hot steam tunnels, something with the temperature and the humidity encourages them to fly," said Ken Schumann, an entomologist at Bell Environmental Services. "When it's warm and steamy that seems to be what they like."

Added American Museum of Natural History bug expert Louis Sorkin: "With more heat they have more use of their muscles. The more activity, the more flight."

Temps are expected to continue to soar into the upper 90s across the Big Apple and Washington D.C. over the next few days with a heat index exceeding the triple digits. Such conditions could easily trigger more of the aforementioned behavior.

Distinct Flying Patterns

To see a flying cockroach is to likely see something the likes of you've never seen before.

"It's not like a flight pattern like a butterfly would have," Schumann said. "It's almost like they just glide down."

With warmth and humidity figuring into the equation, it's not too surprising that cockroaches are more likely to be seen taking flight in the south.

In states like Florida and Texas, American cockroaches are widely known as palmetto bugs based on their habit of hanging out on palm trees.

All Cockroaches Have Wings

Scientists add in places like New York, where there is an abundance of open trash cans and other food sources, cockroaches typically don't make use of the wings they all have.

"As the evolution occurred, their wings became and less important to them. There's so much food around," he said. "They don't use their wings like they used to."

But with temperatures now being wha tthey are and expected to soar even more over the next few days, don't be surprised to see that change.

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