Lovebug Swarms Blanket Seoul, Sparking Frustration and Ecological Debate   

• Residents in Seoul and surrounding areas are battling a surge of “lovebugs,” whose growing presence has blanketed hiking trails and city spaces, raising questions about how to manage the seasonal nuisance without damaging the environment. The insects, known officially as “Plecia longiforceps,” earned their nickname for their unique mating behavior ? flying in pairs while copulating. While harmless to humans, their sheer numbers have caused widespread discomfort across the capital. Viral videos show hiking trails at Gyeyangsan mountain in Incheon, west of Seoul, carpeted with the bugs. In some areas, their carcasses have piled so high that the ground is barely visible. Experts attribute the early and intense outbreak to climate change. The bugs typically emerge in late June, but this year, they appeared as early as mid-June, likely triggered by higher-than-average temperatures and unusually early heavy rains. Since 2022, their presence has expanded from Seoul’s northwest to areas throughout the city and Gyeonggi Province. Lovebugs do not bite, transmit disease, or feed significantly in their adult stage. Instead, they survive on dew and nectar and are considered ecologically beneficial, pollinating flowers and serving as a major food source for birds, fish, and other insects. Despite their role in the ecosystem, public frustration is mounting. A Seoul Institute survey found that 86% of residents consider lovebugs to be pests, ranking them as the third most unpleasant insect after cockroaches and bedbugs. Adult males live three to four days, while females can survive up to a week, laying hundreds of eggs in damp soil before dying. Due to a low survival rate among the eggs, the population often declines sharply after about two weeks. Officials recommend spraying water to remove lovebugs from surfaces, installing sticky pads and light traps near outdoor lighting, and wearing dark-colored clothing outdoors, as the insects are attracted to bright lights and bright clothes. Still, as the bugs’ range spreads northward, experts are debating the potential consequences of more aggressive control methods. Some warn that using chemical pesticides could upset the ecological balance and harm beneficial species. For now, Seoul residents are left to endure the nuisance and the debate as the lovebugs make their brief but overwhelming annual appearance. Luis Apolo Staff Reporter teen/1751271110/1613367592