Why Is There So Many Love Bugs In Florida

When i moved into my condo right on the intercoastal waterway in daytona beach so bug central one would think there was a wasp on my lanai.

Why is there so many love bugs in florida. Having forgotten my flyswatter up in minnesota i looked around for something to swat it with and sett. The infamous florida lovebugs are no bugs at all actually. Bugs or true bugs belong to the order hemiptera florida lovebugs are true flies of the order diptera florida love flies just doesn t have the same ring to it though. It seems that there are more lovebugs than last year but not nearly the number we have seen in decades past said norman leppla an entomologist at university of florida.

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. Much like burmese pythons lion fish and residents of new jersey love bugs invaded florida. What are they and why are they such a hazard. 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.

Love bugs came from central and south america. The first thing i learned is that love bugs aren t supposed to be here at all. The species was first described in 1940 by d. Norman leppla a professor in the university of florida s department.

Hardy but was seen in. As a resident of florida we all know lovebugs are not the most loveable of bugs despite their name. By the late 60s and early 70s there were so many lovebugs that it could be dangerous to drive during the day said dr. Many lovebugs swarm near roadways and as a result cars that drive through clouds of these insects end up with decreased visibility which can result in potential car accidents.

They swarm around highways because they attracted to decomposing plants and confuse the chemical odors from the highway with them.