Lovebugs stay connected for mating, and the pair can remain joined for days.
Why
Lovebugs (Plecia nearctica) mate in flight and stay joined for up to 2 or 3 days after mating.
Why linked
Males stay attached to keep other males away and to help with fertilization.
Season
Swarm twice a year, in spring (May) and late summer (September), along the Gulf Coast.
Pest
Their bodies are acidic and can damage car paint if not washed.
Fact
They are harmless to humans.
Control
Wash cars promptly.
Mating behavior
Lovebugs (Plecia nearctica) are small black and red flies. Adults mate soon after emerging, and pairs stay joined end to end for hours, even for days, flying together in tandem. This helps the female lay eggs without being displaced by other males, and keeps her protected, as males die soon after mating.
- They appear in two main flights each year, in spring (April to May) and late summer (August to September), in Florida and the Gulf Coast states.
- Larvae feed on decaying vegetation and help break down organic matter.
- Adults live only about 3 to 4 days.
Pest issues
Lovebugs are not harmful to people, but their bodies can splatter on cars, and the acidic remains can damage paint if left for days. Wash vehicles soon, use a sheet of fabric softener or wax to ease cleanup, and drive slowly to reduce impact. Windshield washer fluid and warm soapy water help. Lovebugs are attracted to vehicle exhaust, warm surfaces and light colors. There is no effective large-scale control, and they do not bite or sting.
Mating behavior
Lovebugs (Plecia nearctica) fly joined in pairs for days, with males and females attached back to back, to protect the mate and ensure fertilization. Adults emerge in swarms in May and September in Florida and Gulf states.
Pest issues
They are harmless to humans but their acidic remains can damage car paint if left. Wash them off quickly.
Why they are joined
Lovebugs (Plecia nearctica) are small black flies with red thoraxes that mate in the air and stay joined end to end for days, including while flying. The pairs stay attached to reduce competition and let the female lay eggs. Adults live only about 3 to 4 days, and females lay 100 to 350 eggs.
Impact in Florida and the South
Swarms appear in the southeastern US, mainly in May and September, which are the two annual flights. The insects are attracted to car exhaust, and their acidic bodies can damage paint if left on the car for days. Wash them off soon with soapy water. A wet dryer sheet and wax help. Larvae are beneficial because they break down decaying plant matter, and the flies do not bite or sting.
Based on data from the University of Florida IFAS Extension
