If you live in Florida, y’all already know when lovebug season rolls around. One minute your windshield is clean, and the next it looks like you drove straight through a bug convention.
But as aggravating as these little things can be, they’re actually pretty interesting!
Why are they always stuck together?
Those two lovebugs flying around attached to each other are a male and female pair. They can stay connected for hours, and yes, y’all, they can actually fly like that!
Their scientific name is Plecia nearctica, and they’re actually a type of fly.
Why are there so many?
Florida usually gets two big lovebug seasons: April–May and August–September.
So if it feels like they suddenly showed up everywhere, they pretty much did!
Do lovebugs bite?
Nope!
They don’t bite or sting people. Adult lovebugs mainly feed on nectar and pollen.
They may annoy the mess out of us, but they’re harmless.
Believe it or not, they have a job!
Baby lovebugs, called larvae, live around soil and decaying plants. They help break down old leaves and vegetation, making them part of nature’s little cleanup crew.
Who knew?
Why do they love our cars?
Lovebugs can be attracted to heat and things associated with vehicle exhaust, which is one reason you see so many around roads.
And when lovebugs meet a Florida highway windshield...
Well, y’all know how that story ends.
Florida Myth Buster
Have you ever heard that scientists created lovebugs to eat mosquitoes and accidentally released them?
That’s a Florida tall tale!
Lovebugs were not created by the University of Florida, and they weren’t released to control mosquitoes.
Lovebug Challenge
Head outside with the kids and see if you can spot:
Two lovebugs flying together
One visiting a flower
Their dark wings
The reddish-orange area near their head
A whole bunch hanging around a vehicle
Then ask them:
Would you rather have one lovebug the size of a dog or 1,000 regular lovebugs following you around all day?
Y’all...I’m not sure I want either one.
Learning Corner Takeaway
Lovebugs may cover our windshields and drive us Florida folks a little crazy, but they’re harmless and actually play a small part in keeping our ecosystem going.
And thankfully, lovebug season doesn’t last forever!
