"Proactive Control Measures Launched to Prevent a Summer Battle with Lovebugs That Lay Hundreds of Eggs per Pair"

Aiming to Reduce Adult Population Before Late June Emergence

Civil Complaints Increased Sevenfold Last Year

Eco-Friendly BTI Sprayed Around Gyeyang Mountain

The lovebug (officially known as the red-spotted gall midge), often referred to as an unwelcome summer guest in urban areas, is showing signs of another mass outbreak this year. Recently, a cluster of lovebug larvae was discovered around Gyeyang Mountain in Incheon—an area where lovebugs covered the summit and hiking trails last year—prompting authorities to launch proactive control measures before the adults emerge.

Local governments are also focusing on managing larval habitats. Since lovebug larvae thrive in moist and organic-rich environments, maintaining areas such as walking paths with excessive fallen leaves or poorly drained zones can help reduce their populations. The Asia Business Daily DB

On April 28, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment's National Institute of Biological Resources and a research team from Sahmyook University's Environmental Ecology Research Institute announced that they had sprayed BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), an eco-friendly microbial control agent, around the summit of Gyeyang Mountain on April 22. BTI is a microbial agent that selectively targets the larvae of certain insects such as flies and is used to lower the population before they emerge as adults. It is known from experiments that this control agent achieves a high larval mortality rate within 48 hours of application.

The researchers believe that responding at the larval stage is the most effective strategy, as it is difficult to control lovebugs once they emerge in large numbers as adults. Lovebugs are highly prolific, with a single pair laying hundreds of eggs. If initial control is delayed, there is a possibility of a large-scale outbreak in urban areas and along walking and hiking trails after late June.

Lovebug larvae typically grow in moist leaf litter or soil rich in organic matter. After passing through the pupal stage around mid-May, they are known to emerge as adults starting from late June. Around June 28 last year, a massive outbreak in the summit and hiking trail areas of Gyeyang Mountain turned the area visibly black with lovebugs, and related civil complaints reportedly surged more than sevenfold compared to the previous year.

Lovebugs Detected Throughout the Greater Seoul Area, Including Seoul and Incheon

In recent years, the regions where lovebugs are found have been expanding. Once concentrated in certain districts such as Eunpyeong District in Seoul, lovebugs have since been detected across all 25 districts of Seoul and 10 districts and counties of Incheon, indicating widespread presence throughout the metropolitan area. This year, there is even the possibility of lovebugs spreading beyond the capital region. Experts believe that rising temperatures, changes in urban green environments, and increased leaf litter are all factors contributing to the mass outbreaks of lovebugs.

At the end of June last year, the summit of Gyeyang Mountain in Gyeyang District, Incheon, was covered with lovebugs (making it uncomfortable for hikers). Photo by Yonhap News

However, lovebugs generally do not bite or sting humans, are neither toxic nor aggressive, and are not classified as disease-carrying insects. Adult lovebugs contribute to pollination, while larvae play a role in decomposing fallen leaves and organic matter, making them beneficial insects within the ecosystem. The problem arises when their population suddenly explodes, as swarms of lovebugs can cling to residential windows, vehicles, walking paths, and storefront glass, causing significant inconvenience to residents.

Repair Window Screens at Home to Prevent Lovebugs from Entering Indoors

The government is also stepping up its response. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is working to systematically manage urban outbreak insects such as the red-spotted gall midge by designating them as legally controlled species. In cooperation with relevant local governments, the ministry plans to strengthen early response and conduct both monitoring and eco-friendly control measures, focusing on areas experiencing mass outbreaks.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is promoting a plan to designate urban outbreak insects such as the red-backed sawfly as legally controlled species for systematic management. Yonhap News

Local governments are also focusing on managing larval habitats. Since lovebug larvae thrive in moist and organic-rich environments, maintaining areas such as walking paths with excessive fallen leaves or regions with poor drainage can help reduce their population. However, indiscriminate use of insecticides can affect other insects and the surrounding ecosystem, so selective control—taking into account the location, timing, and target insects—is necessary.

At home, repairing gaps in window screens can prevent lovebugs from entering indoors, and keeping windows near lights closed at night is helpful. If adult lovebugs are attached to vehicles or exterior walls, it is best to wash them off quickly with water, as their body fluids can leave stains over time. For lovebugs that have entered indoors, it is recommended to remove them using a vacuum cleaner or a sprayer rather than insecticides.

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