Lovebugs are back in swarms in South Korea, blanketing a mountain peak and causing problems for residents. The insects, known as Plecia nearctica, are flying attached to each other while mating and have been detected in large numbers in Seoul and nearby areas since late June.
The lovebugs do not transmit diseases or sting humans, but they stick to car windows and house walls, leading to public complaints. Recently, a massive cloud of lovebugs hovered over Gyeyang Mountain in Incheon city, with workers shoveling dead insects from the observation deck.
Environment officials say the hot and humid weather conditions on the mountain have created an ideal environment for the lovebugs to thrive. They will review the situation after the insects disappear by mid-July. While some experts link the influx of lovebugs to climate change, South Korean authorities view them as beneficial, pollinating flowers and converting plant materials into organic components.
Instead of using chemical pesticides, officials use water and stick pads to control the large insect population. The surge in lovebugs is expected to continue until mid-July, with the Environment Ministry keeping a close eye on the situation.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-lovebugs-summer-60742ca689b0d0446e8663c5bccc6b16