Lovebugs are back! But experts say the familiar Florida pest is a harmless nuisance

They may be one of Florida’s most complained-about insects, but lovebug swarms are short-lived, harmless, and even helpful in their early life stages, researchers say.

Close-up of two black-winged insects with reddish thoraxes mating on a cluster of small, bright yellow flowers, with the background softly blurred. — The lovebug, which is actually a fly whose scientific name is Plecia nearctica, migrated naturally along the Gulf of Mexico.

While many will have to swat them away while crossing parking lots or walking paths, or scrape them off front bumpers after a road trip, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts say that they are harmless to people and pets.

While their numbers can spike quickly, researchers say the insects are short-lived. “Lovebug adults live for a few days,” said Norman Leppla, University of Florida professor of integrated pest management and biological control. “They only last for a few weeks in any given location.”

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