Lovebug

Category:

Actual Size: Approximately 6 mm to 9 mm.

Characteristics: Black with a reddish-orange area behind the head.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes

Habitat: Attracted to moisture and found in grassy habitats. Damp areas of homes such as storage rooms or basements can attract the lovebug.

Habits:

  • Males and females mate connected in pairs, granting them the name of the lovebug.
  • Search for moist areas that contain food like compost beds, mulch, or rotting grass.
  • If their fatty tissue is left on a car in the sun, it can eat through the carโ€™s finish.ย ย 
  • They are attracted to the warmth and exhaust fumes from vehicles, creating visibility issues for drivers.

Lovebugs in Florida

Lovebugs appear attached during mating, which is why they were named lovebugs. They are social insects that gather in large swarms and are closely related to mosquitoes, grants, and sandflies. The females emerge in the late spring and summer, which is when the large swarms or lovebugs begin. For many people, this time is a nuisance as they will enter homes, spatter on vehicles, and land in the faces of cyclists and joggers.

Lovebug Habitat

Similar to other insects, lovebugs prefer humid, damp, and dark habitats. Female lovebugs seek moist areas to lay eggs in, so mulch, compost beds, and decaying grass are common egg deposit areas. If there is high moisture in your home, lovebugs may be attracted to infesting indoor spaces, particularly storage rooms and basements. Their likelihood of entering your home increases if the property is near known lovebug infestation zones. Prevention of potential lovebug infestations is possible by taking measures to minimize an attractive habitat.

Lovebug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

While lovebugs do not bite, they can cause damage and unpleasant smells in homes and vehicles. Lovebugs have an acidic body composition, which can lead to unsightly damage to vehicle paint. The fatty tissue that the lovebug poses can corrode a carโ€™s finish after being exposed to sunlight. Their bodies frequently end up on vehicles as they are stuck by windshields, hoods, and radiator grates. After only a few hours, their bodies can cause damage to the paint of the vehicle. Careful and prompt removal of the lovebug body is vital to preserve the paint’s integrity. If you are dealing with a lovebug issue on your property, contact your local fly exterminators.