Swarms of lovebugs flying through northwest Louisiana
SHREVEPORT, La. — If you live in northwest Louisiana, you've probably noticed the seasonally abundant march flies hovering near your shiny car mirrors or exhaust in larger numbers than in years past.
No, you’re not crazy. There are more of them this year. Many more.
The lovebug saw a population spike thanks to a relatively cool and wet summer, said Beverly Burden, associate professor of biological sciences at LSU-Shreveport and host of What’s Bugging You on the Red River Radio Network.
“There was a population explosion, for sure,” Burden said. “Eggs are laid in very moist soil. … This summer was wetter and cooler. We didn’t have that many days over 100 degrees.”
The lovebug — known as double-headed bugs, honeymoon flies, united bugs and other unprintable names by those in the southern portion of the state — is not a new visitor.
“(Lovebugs) have been this far north in the past, but not in the number where people would notice and recognize them,” Burden said.
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Norman C. Leppla with the University of Florida, in his paper Living with Lovebugs charts the life-cycle of the lovebug.
The red-necked insects, often seen flying in tandem, can appear twice a year, in April-May and August-September. The insects are in larvae state for 120 days in the summer and 240 days in the spring. The adults live for only a short time — long enough to bother us and deposit eggs.
They lay close to 100 eggs, Burden said. The University of Florida estimates egg counts up to 600 depending on conditions.
You’ll see them in the Gulf States stretching from Texas to Florida with some reports of lovebugs as far north as South Carolina. Burden compared their geographic spread to that of the fire ant.
“They’ve been gradually moving north and east over the past 15 years,” Burden said. “There’s gonna be a certain point where they won’t migrate more. They won’t be able to survive the winter as they go further north.”
Burden said the lovebugs don’t bite or sting. They are attracted to lighter surfaces as well as the vibrations and exhaust fumes of vehicles.
“Their squashed bodies are acidic," Burden said. "They can harm the paint on the car. In large enough numbers, they can block the radiator and cause the car to overheat."
Hosing the bugs off the radiator is more common in southern Louisiana, Burden said. While they're plentiful in that part of the state, Michael Stout, professor and head of the entomology department at LSU, said he hasn’t noticed a huge uptick in numbers there.
“It hasn’t been heavy,” he said. “I don’t mind them so much.”
Lovebugs at a glance
What are they? A species of march fly. Plecia nearctica, if you must know.
Why are they connected? They're making babies. You know, making whoopie. Mating. Sperm transfer lasts for hours — like half a day! — but the pair might remain coupled for several days during which they feed, according to the University of Florida.
Are they harmful? A nuisance to motorists, but not to you personally. They might hurt your car — when so many smash into your radiator that your engine overheats. Their guts are acidic and may hurt your car's paint if left too long.
But... Lovebug larvae are good for your garden. They live in decaying plant material, helping to break it down further.
Fun facts: Female lovebugs are bigger than their male suitors. The guys have bigger eyes, though.