Florida Love Bugs

The love bug a fly in the bibionidae family also known as the honeymoon fly telephone bug double headed bug united bug and march fly is a nuisance any florida motorist is unhappily.

Florida love bugs. Actually uf says the invasive species originated. Hardy but was seen in. Males are tiny only 1 4 long 6mm and the females are only slightly bigger at just under 1 2 inch 12mm long. Love bugs are a small black fly with a red thorax the part right behind the head.

It is also known as the honeymoon fly or double headed bug during and after mating matured pairs remain together even in flight for up to several days. Contrary to popular belief the university of florida did not introduce the love bug to the state according to the school s website. Lovebugs aren t bugs at all. How love bugs came to florida and no they weren t created to eat mosquitoes it s love bug mating season and the pesky bugs are covering our cars and flying in swarms.

The university of florida says they did not introduce the love bug to the state but that in the 20th century the bugs migrated from central america and traveled through texas and louisiana before. The species was first described in 1940 by d. Florida love bugs are invading florida. Bugs or true bugs belong to the order hemiptera florida lovebugs are true flies of the order diptera florida love flies just doesn t have the same ring to it though.

Here are simple hacks to handle them. Their name comes from the fact that they mate while airborne and you ll rarely see a lone love bug. The love bug plecia nearctica is a species of march fly found in parts of central america and the southeastern united states especially along the gulf coast. The infamous florida lovebugs are no bugs at all actually.

No love for the love bugs.