Lovebugs in Florida

The Lovebug in Florida:The Lovebug in Florida:Setting the Record StraightSetting the Record Straight

J. P. Cuda and N. C. LepplaJ. P. Cuda and N. C. Leppla

Adult Lovebugs on FlowersAdult Lovebugs on Flowers

• Lovebugs were released by Lovebugs were released by UF entomologists as part UF entomologists as part of an experiment that failedof an experiment that failed

• Lovebugs eat mosquitoesLovebugs eat mosquitoes

NOT!!!NOT!!!

True or False?True or False?

• Lovebugs are not bugs but fliesLovebugs are not bugs but flies– Order Hemiptera- “True bugs”Order Hemiptera- “True bugs”– Order Diptera- “Flies”Order Diptera- “Flies”• Family Bibionidae- March fliesFamily Bibionidae- March flies

• Lovebug has other namesLovebug has other names– Honeymoon bug Honeymoon bug – Plecia nearcticaPlecia nearctica Hardy Hardy– $@#%&@%$# !!!!!!!$@#%&@%$# !!!!!!!

Did You Know ?Did You Know ?

• Lovebugs are not native to the US Lovebugs are not native to the US – Emigrated from Central America into Emigrated from Central America into

TexasTexas

• Lovebugs spread east along Gulf Lovebugs spread east along Gulf CoastCoast– Louisiana- 1920sLouisiana- 1920s– Mississippi-1940- type localityMississippi-1940- type locality– Alabama- early 1940s ?Alabama- early 1940s ?– South Carolina- 1975South Carolina- 1975


Distribution of Lovebugs Distribution of Lovebugs

Map

• Lovebugs did not appear in Lovebugs did not appear in Florida until the late 1940s Florida until the late 1940s

• Lovebugs entered Florida from Lovebugs entered Florida from the Panhandle and eventually the Panhandle and eventually migrated southwardmigrated southward


Lovebug Invasion of FloridaLovebug Invasion of Florida





• Immature or larval stage of the Immature or larval stage of the

lovebug is a maggotlovebug is a maggot


• Lovebug larvae require several Lovebug larvae require several months to develop into adultsmonths to develop into adults–Oct to April- Spring generationOct to April- Spring generation–May to September- Fall generationMay to September- Fall generation

• Lovebug larvae are beneficialLovebug larvae are beneficial–Recycle decaying organic matterRecycle decaying organic matter– Large numbers found under cow Large numbers found under cow

manure manure


• Female lovebugs larger than males Female lovebugs larger than males –Deposit ca. 350 eggsDeposit ca. 350 eggs

• Adult lovebugs live only 3- 4 daysAdult lovebugs live only 3- 4 days• Lovebugs separate on vegetation Lovebugs separate on vegetation

but not in flight or at nightbut not in flight or at night• Male lovebug’s eyes 4X larger than Male lovebug’s eyes 4X larger than

the female’sthe female’s– Help locate potential matesHelp locate potential mates


• Mating begins when females fly Mating begins when females fly

into a swarm of hovering males into a swarm of hovering males between 8-10 AM or 4-5 PMbetween 8-10 AM or 4-5 PM

• Larger males near bottom of Larger males near bottom of swarms have greater mating swarms have greater mating successsuccess

• Up to 8 males compete for 1 femaleUp to 8 males compete for 1 female• Mating lasts up ca. 56 hrs Mating lasts up ca. 56 hrs

(or until smashed by a vehicle) (or until smashed by a vehicle)


• Several factors contribute to the Several factors contribute to the lovebug problemlovebug problem– Improved pastures (thatch) & cattle Improved pastures (thatch) & cattle

production (manure)production (manure)–Reduction in annual burning of Reduction in annual burning of

woodlands and leaf litterwoodlands and leaf litter–Banning of DDT for insect control in Banning of DDT for insect control in

mid-1960smid-1960s


• Lovebug mating flights:Lovebug mating flights:–Occur Apr-May & Aug-Sept Occur Apr-May & Aug-Sept –Reach altitudes of 1500 ftReach altitudes of 1500 ft–Extend several miles over the Extend several miles over the

Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico–Cover 25% of Florida’s land areaCover 25% of Florida’s land area–Occur between 10 AM & 4 PM at Occur between 10 AM & 4 PM at

a temperature above 82 a temperature above 82 ooFF


Lovebug Flight ActivityLovebug Flight Activity

Leppla et al. (1974)

• Lovebugs congregate at highway Lovebugs congregate at highway intersections, traffic lights, filling intersections, traffic lights, filling stations, and truck stopsstations, and truck stops

• Are attracted to exhaust fumes Are attracted to exhaust fumes (formaldehyde), hot engines, and (formaldehyde), hot engines, and vehicle vibrationsvehicle vibrations


• Lovebugs have natural enemies Lovebugs have natural enemies –Birds eat larvaeBirds eat larvae–Spiders eat adultsSpiders eat adults–Humans (vehicles kill adults)Humans (vehicles kill adults)

• Lovebugs are economically Lovebugs are economically important important –Bees do not visit flowers infested Bees do not visit flowers infested

with lovebugs with lovebugs –Clog vehicle radiators, damage paintClog vehicle radiators, damage paint


Authors: J. P. Cuda and N. C. Leppla, IFASAuthors: J. P. Cuda and N. C. Leppla, IFASUniversity of FloridaUniversity of Florida

Images: Mike Sanford, University of FloridaImages: Mike Sanford, University of Florida

Detailed Information on the Lovebug is Available Detailed Information on the Lovebug is Available on the Featured Creatures Web Siteon the Featured Creatures Web Site

http: //creatures.ifas.ufl.eduhttp: //creatures.ifas.ufl.edu

Entomology & Nematology DepartmentEntomology & Nematology DepartmentCopyright University of Florida 2002Copyright University of Florida 2002http: //entnemdept.ifas.ufl.eduhttp: //entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

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Lovebugs in Florida