Lovebugs 101 - Interesting Facts

It’s almost that time - Lovebug Season!

Once they’re here, they appear to be all over the place, blanketing the state of Florida. The truth is - they are actually flies with an orange dot - officially known as the Plecia Nearctica Hardy. They get their nickname from their inflight mating process. Are they a nuisance? You bet they are! And massively annoying when they accumulate in large numbers.

They make their bi-annual visits in late April/May and September/ October. You can’t predict exactly when they will arrive, but you’ll definitely know when they do. One of the key determining factors is how much rainfall our state or region has received. Our area has been in a bit of a drought and experts claim the less rain, the fewer bugs. We may be lucky this time around as we all know we definitely could use some more rain.

With some research, you will find there is a lot to learn about Florida’s favorite insect. Here are some facts we gleaned from the Internet.

How long do these love making machines live?

The male lovebugs live for two to five days and females live for up to seven. In their short lifespan, adult lovebugs live long enough to mate, feed, disperse, and lay a batch of eggs.

Are they only found in Florida?

Lovebugs are actually common across the Gulf states; Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, according to a study by the University of Florida, IFAS Extension. They’ve also been spotted in Georgia and South Carolina. It’s possible that their movement is caused by prevailing winds, traffic, sod transport, and expansion of pastures.

Do Lovebugs eat mosquitos?

Sorry, no, this is a myth! Lovebugs are herbivorous insects that consume pollen and nectar found in flowers. Without jaws, grasping legs, or speed, they would have a hard time chasing down a mosquito. Contrary to rumors, the University of Florida did not create Lovebugs to control mosquitoes.

Do Lovebugs mate the entire time they’re coupled?

As male lovebugs form swarms above emergence areas (areas where there is little to no wind and vegetation), the female lovebugs may join the swarm before they are grasped by a male lovebug. The sperm transfer requires an average of 12.5 hours, but the two can be coupled for days before parting ways. If separated, both sexes may mate again.

Where did these lovemaking flying insects originate?

According to several sources, Lovebugs originated in the Yucatan Peninsula and expanded their reach into the Caribbean and the Gulf states in the 1940s before arriving in Florida around 1950. From there, the population exploded.

Are Lovebugs attracted to cars?

If you own a white car it seems like they are, but Lovebugs are supposedly not attracted to your cars, but they are attracted to the car’s exhaust. They’re also attracted to heat. According to IFAS, they fly one to five feet from the ground (the same height as your windshield and grill on your car!) during warm periods of the day, usually between 10 am to 6 pm.

How damaging are they to your car?

You don’t want to leave splattered Lovebug remains on your car more than a day. That white splatter they leave on your car is their eggs. Left to dry in the hot sun, the splatter turns into something similar to industrial glue. Their remains are acidic and will slowly destroy your coat and paint. (See Sidebar to right)

Do Lovebugs have any natural enemies?

Apparently Lovebugs adults are avoided by red imported fire ants, and other predators, but are periodically eaten by spiders, dragonflies, and birds. Their coloration implies defensive mimicry which may protect them from other predators. Bee keepers have reported that honeybees do not visit flowers infested with lovebugs.

Do Lovebugs have any value?

Yes...these pesky insects lay their eggs in places with dying vegetation, such as thatch, which is the cut grass spit out by lawn mowers. That’s where immature Lovebugs live and eat. Feeding on dead vegetation redistributes essential nutrients back into the ground, which benefits plants and the environment.

A wet winter enables the bugs to thrive in the caterpillar stage. The larvae are able to move on the soil surface and respond to soil moisture. As pupae, they can withstand long periods of drought. Strong seasonal rains produce strong Lovebug seasons.

Unlike some of their close relatives, Lovebugs do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases and are not poisonous.