Lovebugs are small, black flies, about the size of a dime, native to parts of Central America and southeastern United States. They are most active from mid-April to mid-October, in abundance from late-April through the month of May, and again from mid-September to mid-October. In this article, we’ll discuss what lovebugs are, the benefits of lovebugs, and the myths associated with them.
Lovebugs Explained
Lovebugs, also known as the honeymoon flies, were discovered in 1949 in south Texas and are believed to have been introduced to the US from Central America. These flies are known for their pairs, as they travel in somewhat long “bunches”. The male and female lovebugs remain connected during their flight, which is why they are often referred to as “lovebugs” and “honeymoon flies”.
Appearance
Lovebugs have a very distinctive appearance; the females tend to be a reddish-brown or black in color, while the males are usually a reddish-brown color or sometimes black. The wings are thin and transparent, the antennae are brown, and the eyes are reddish-brown. Lovebugs typically measure between 6 and 10mm in length, with the females usually larger than the males.
Behavior
Lovebugs often migrate in large groups every few weeks, especially during late spring and summer. During their migrations, they tend to fly in swarms and are even known to fly into the path of oncoming vehicles, which often results in messy car paint jobs. They have been known to fly up to 400 miles, but typically stay within about 20 miles of the area that they hatched in.
Benefits of Lovebugs
Although they can be annoying, there are a few benefits that lovebugs bring to the environment. One of the main benefits is that they help reduce bad odors by consuming decaying organic matter. Lovebugs also help to spread pollen, which promotes the growth of new plants. Additionally, some people fish with lovebugs as bait, which helps to spread the population of these beneficial insects.
Myths About Lovebugs
Despite the many benefits of lovebugs, there are also some myths associated with them. One of the most common myths is that lovebugs are the result of two species of flies mating, but this is actually untrue. Lovebugs are actually just a single species of fly that typically travel in pairs. Another myth is that lovebugs are attracted to the color red, but this too is untrue. However, they are attracted to light-colored objects, and can often be seen congregating around lights at night.
People Also Ask
Where do Lovebugs come from?
Lovebugs are native to parts of Central America and southeastern United States.
What time of year do Lovebugs show up?
Lovebugs are most active from mid-April to mid-October, with the highest numbers from late-April through the month of May, and again from mid-September to mid-October.
Do Lovebugs Bite?
Lovebugs are not capable of biting humans or animals, but they do have mouthparts that allow them to suck up nutrients, like decaying organic matter.
Are Lovebugs harmful?
Lovebugs are generally harmless to humans and animals, but they can be annoying when they fly into windows, cars, and other objects.
Can Lovebugs fly?
Yes, Lovebugs are capable of flying, and they have been known to fly up to 400 miles.
Final Words
Lovebugs may be annoying, but they bring a lot of benefits to the environment, such as reducing bad odors and helping to spread pollen. They may look strange, but they are actually just one species of fly that typically travels together in pairs. Despite the myths, lovebugs cannot bite humans or animals and are actually quite harmless. If you look closely, you may be able to observe these peculiar insects as they migrate through your area.