Mating ‘lovebugs’ swarm city, plaguing residents
The insect that’s making a community’s lives a misery
- Swarms of "lovebugs" (Plecia nearctica) have descended upon South Korea, causing widespread public complaints due to their sheer numbers.
- These insects, which fly attached while mating, were first detected in Seoul in 2022 and have since proliferated, appearing primarily between late June and early July.
- While lovebugs pose no health risk, they are a significant nuisance, sticking to car windows, houses, restaurants, and even subway trains.
- A dramatic surge in their population was seen recently on Gyeyang Mountain, where they formed a "thick carpet" and swarmed observation decks.
- South Korean officials view lovebugs as beneficial insects, aiding pollination, and are using non-chemical methods to manage them, though experts link their increased presence to climate change.