"Lovebugs Prefer Exhaust Fumes and Bright Colors... Can Be Eliminated with Water Cleaning"

Likes heat and clings to people
Insecticide NO... Can be repelled with water too

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This summer, complaints related to Lovebugs, whose population has noticeably increased, have risen by 27% compared to last year in Seoul. Dong-kyu Lee, Distinguished Professor of Health and Environmental Sciences at Kosin University, explained, "Global warming and humid weather create an ideal environment for Lovebugs, which have no natural predators, to increase."

On the 24th, during CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Professor Lee explained the reason for the sharp increase in Lovebug populations, saying, "Lovebugs seem to prefer urban areas over forests because they like the exhaust fumes and heat from cars. Since the human body also emits heat, they tend to cling to people as well."

Lovebugs are a type of fly that lay their eggs in well-developed leaf litter (humus layer) in dense forested mountain areas. The larvae grow by feeding on the humus layer. They decompose nutrients in the forest, turning them into fertilizer that plants can absorb. Adult Lovebugs also serve as food for other predatory insects and birds, playing an important role in the food pyramid.

Even though they are beneficial insects, the increase in their population has led to more complaints. According to Seoul City, complaints related to Lovebugs have increased by 27% compared to last year. Regarding population control, Professor Lee emphasized, "They can be eradicated simply by spraying water without using insecticides." He explained that even if insecticides are used, the problem is not solved due to the lack of natural predators, and since their flying ability is weak, cleaning with a hose (in areas heavily infested with Lovebugs) is sufficient.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

If you want to avoid Lovebugs, it is better to wear dark-colored clothes because Lovebugs prefer bright colors. However, due to their heat-loving nature, they may still cling to you depending on the situation, even if you wear dark clothes. Professor Lee said, "You just have to shoo them away."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.