The pace of life and the unending supply of distractions in 2025 keep most residents’ thoughts occupied with too many diversions. As such, one hardly has time to notice an overlooked absence from the environment at large and the roadway specifically.
The Lovebug (Plecia nearctica) population is not leaving its mark, especially on vehicles, this June. The conjoined (and frequently reviled) flying insect pairs have been absent in most of panhandle Florida recently, but no one has taken credit for the removal.
Contrary to the urban myth, a group of carwash owners from a north central Florida educational institution (the University of Florida) did not release this irritating insect for nefarious intent.
Like many (but not all) adult flying insects, lovebugs are attracted to the pollen of flowers. This spring, lovebugs are mostly missing from north Florida’s landscape. January’s snow and the periodic drenching rains in early spring have cleansed their eggs from beneath most leaf litter. A protracted dry spell, typical of late summer, will return them to airborne prominence.
Lovebugs originated in Central America but migrated north. By 1949 they had reached Escambia County and today are found in every Florida county.
Embellishing the finish of automobiles and trucks is this insect’s seeming specialty. They have a justifiable reputation for etching vehicle paint at the point of impact, with a combination of internal chemical compounds.
Their bodily fluids are slightly acidic and capable of slowly damaging auto paint. Bacterial action on the Lovebug’s remains intensifies the acidity if they are not removed from the vehicle’s surface for several days.
Unfortunately, these creatures have an ill-fated attraction to exhaust fumes of internal combustion motors. Hot engines and vehicle vibrations may also contribute to the premature demise of many unlucky singles and pairs.
Post-appearance chemical control of Lovebugs is pointless. Adult males live an average of two to three days and females may live for a week, if they are fortunate enough to avoid crossing streets.
The spring months of April and May are when the largest population emergence of Lovebugs occurs, but this species has been collected in Florida during every month of the year except November.
The females lay approximately 350 gray, irregularly shaped eggs in or on the soil surface under partially decayed vegetable matter which is used for food and shelter. Slate-gray larvae are often found in groups where moisture under the decaying vegetation is constantly present, but not excessive.
One of the positive byproducts of the heavy early spring rains and standing waters is many of the larvae drown. January’s snow and subfreezing temperatures also reduced the number of seasonal survivors. As it turns out, the weather cycle has proven to be the greatest control factor for this species.
Unfortunately, standing water does encourage other problems in addition to an exploding mosquito population. The infamous Yellow Fly, a Horse Fly relative, is a tenacious pest with a vicious and painful bite, and it uses the standing water to reproduce in mass.
As with many other biting or stinging insects, it is the female Yellow Fly which bites. She uses knife like mandibles to access the blood of her victims, and she is not particular about the source.
The wet weather hatch is currently underway, which creates a sudden population outburst, but Yellow Flies will be active all summer. They are active during daylight hours only, whether in shade or full sun.
Females deposit egg masses on plants, rocks, sticks or other similar objects, usually over water or other favorable larval habitats. Eggs are deposited throughout the life cycle of the female.
After five to 12 days, the eggs hatch and the young larvae drop into the water or mud where they feed on organic debris or prey on other small aquatic organisms. The yellow flies emerge from the larval stage ready to begin feeding on livestock, pets and people.
There will always be some sort of flying insect pest, no matter the summer’s weather conditions. It is a value judgement as to which is the worst, lovebugs or yellow flies.
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