Lovebugs are small black flies with red thoraxes. Males are 1/4 inch, and females are 1/3 inch in length. These flies are members of the family Bibionidae and are known as March flies. Several species of March flies are native to Florida, however, Lovebugs, Plecia nearctica Hardy are recent invaders from the west.

Southern Louisiana experienced flights of lovebugs during the 1920's. The species was described by Hardy in 1940 from specimens collected in Mississippi. First reports of their presence in Florida were made in 1947 from Escambia County. Subsequent reports indicate their presence in Leon County in 1955-56 and Alachua - Marion Counties in 1964-65. Since that time, flights have progressively moved southward. In 1974, specimens were collected in Homestead. Lovebugs also have moved northward and have been reported from Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. Two flights of lovebugs occur each year. The spring flight occurs during late April and May. A second flight occurs during late August and September. Flights extend over periods of 4 to 5 weeks. Mating takes place almost immediately after emergence of the females. Adult females live only 2-3 days.

Lovebugs are a considerable nuisance to motorists. They congregate in unbelievable numbers along highways and the insects spatter on the windshields and grills of moving trucks and automobiles. Windshields become covered with the fatty remains, and vision is obscured. During flights, the flies clog radiator fins causing cars to overheat. They also get into refrigeration equipment on trucks causing them to malfunction. The fatty tissue will cause pitting of the car's finish if it is not removed within a few days. Flies enter cars and sometimes drivers and passengers soil their clothing by sitting on lovebugs. They are also a considerable nuisance to fresh paint. The flies enter houses under construction in such numbers that carpenters refuse to work. Beekeepers complain because worker bees do not visit flowers that have been infested with the flies.

A number of insecticides have been evaluated for effectiveness in controlling lovebug larvae and adults. Most of them kill lovebugs but are impractical because high populations of the insects occur over vast areas of the state. A vacuum cleaner can be used to remove adults from confined areas, such as in buildings and vehicles.

I've never seen one before!

How about them sexy lady bugs?

althom said:

You have no idea, they are everywhere. It's disgusting.

who the hell named 'em "lovebugs", if they're that horrid?

ImagoMind777 said:

Oh shit!

I think a sour someone who started this thread needs to be bit by a love bug

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

The "Love" probably comes from the fact that their natural state when seen is usually while they're copulating.

As short as a 15 minute drive...



...can leave your car in this condition.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431
[Edited 9/26/05 14:05pm]

i'll mail you some of the damn spider overpopulation that we have here in chicago and maybe that will take care of your problem.

don't say i never offered to give ya anything.

Anxiety said:

such a friend.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

ON MY LUNCHTIME DRIVE, MY CAR WAS PRACTICALLY BATHED IN LOVE BUG GUTS. WTF???

the worst part is they constantly remind me of my nonexistant sex life.

jerseykrs said:

jerseykrs said:

It's not my fault you turn down my advances.

Imago777 said:

That was not very smart of him...I think he is cheating on you

ImagoMind777 said:

unlucky7 said:

macho macho man...I want to be a macho man.... That is the first thing that came to my mind....

OH MY GOD!!

I went to Disneyworld with my parents when I was about ten years old. I'm waiting to get off the plane in Orlando, all excited and shit, and as I walk out into the fresh air, there are literally thousands of these little buggers EVERYWHERE!!! I was scared shitless!!!!


I couldn't escape them the whole trip, and it was so devastating to me as a child, I've never forgotten them. I HATE LOVEBUGS.

gemini13 said:

Yet another reason I love you. How did your exam go?

jerseykrs said:

Surprisingly, it wasn't that difficult. I worried for nothing. I don't find out if I passed until probably next Monday, but I think I did just fine. Where are all my friends?