What Is Love Bug Season In Florida
Their name comes from the fact that they mate while airborne and you ll rarely see a lone love bug.
What is love bug season in florida. The love bug plecia nearctica is a species of march fly found in parts of central america and the southeastern united states especially along the gulf coast. When does lovebug season end in florida. Love bug season in florida love bugs on a fl license plate photo by se7en49 forget valentine s day in february. Love bug season love bugs are a nuisance on the florida beach.
Every true floridian knows that the real season of love starts in may lingers on for a few months hits again mid september. Love bugs are not dangerous. The university of florida says they did not introduce the love bug to the state but that in the 20th century the bugs migrated from central america and traveled through texas and louisiana before. Drivers end up with bug coated windshields grills and bumpers.
These tiny flies are a nuisance pest and related to mosquitoes and gnats. The insects swarm around roadsides and carelessly drift into the path of oncoming traffic. Common questions among floridians. According to the university of florida mating season gears up for a about four weeks from april to may and august to september when the weather is transitioning.
They do not bite or sting. Love bugs are a small black fly with a red thorax the part right behind the head. They live and breed in lawns fields and grassy verges alongside roads. Florida s spring lovebug season is typically april to may.
Males are tiny only 1 4 long 6mm and the females are only slightly bigger at just under 1 2 inch 12mm long. Hardy but was seen in. Their squashed oily bodies can corrode the finish on vehicles and stain fabrics. The love bugs emerge and mate en mass during two short cycles in spring and again in late summer.
Lovebugs are pollinators that do not bite or sting animals or humans. Lovebug mating season according to the university of florida mating peaks last about four weeks in may and september typically two main generations occur during this time but the insects can be seen throughout the summer. It is also known as the honeymoon fly or double headed bug during and after mating matured pairs remain together even in flight for up to several days. Clean the sticky goo off paint jobs regularly in lovebug season.
The species was first described in 1940 by d. Twice each year in florida love bugs become quite a nuisance for drivers.