Flying black bugs

[hockey mom]

What was up with all of these bugs at the water parks and what were they? We go same time every year and this was the first time we have seen these. It wasn't so bad if you were out in the open but if your lawn chair was under a few trees you were toast. If you saw some guy jumping around like an idiot a few weeks ago that was DH. Now I know what black flies are being from northern Canada and these were not that. Can anyone shed some light?

 

[Dalpal]

Do they bite?

 

[campingcorgi]

Love bugs. It's their 'romantic' season. They won't hurt you--now your car's finish is another thing!

 

[happycat]

I believe the bugs you are referring to are affectionatley known in FL as "Love Bugs" The bugs fly and mate at the same time. They do not bite but they can be a nuisance. They should be gone in a couple of weeks. As a FL native I have never seen them quite as prolific as they have been this year.

 

[TZMOM]

Were they love bugs? I remember from living down there in the past that they used to "come out" in May and end of August/beginning of Sept. They didn't bite or anything, but just a pain in the butt. We used to have to rinse off the grill & windshields of our car everyday because they were sometimes so thick. I forget where they came from, but someone told me that they were "engineered" by a Texas college (??) to take care of the bad mosquito problem FL was having.

Did they look like they were two bugs stuck together - heads on both ends? I agree, they were kinda annoying at times, but just one of the other wierd things that go on in Florida!!

 

[hockey mom]

You guys are quick-Thanks.

Love bugs- that would explain why they were flying in pairs.

They weren't even actually landing on you just all around you and it was driving my DH snakey.

 

[Tiziminchac]

Love bugs! Aren't they wonderful? Just in case you drive your own vehicle make sure you go to the car wash and clean them off. They have some kind of "bug acid" in their blood and the ones who were unlucky enough to fly into your moving vehicle will ruin your paint job if left too long (a week or two). And for some reason they seem to be attracted to white. I've always assumed that it was because they like orange blossoms and they are white too. They are harmless to people though. It could have been worse, it could have been palmetto bugs! Those are big, flying roach-like bugs. And they always seem to aim at your face!

 

[HumphreytheBear]

Originally posted by TZMOM
I forget where they came from, but someone told me that they were "engineered" by a Texas college (??) to take care of the bad mosquito problem FL was having.

Actually those little suckers are home grown... They are courtesy of the University of Florida (GO Gators... Thanks for the bugs)... they rest is correct... they were engineered to take care of the mosquito issue, but it turns out they don't eat mosquitos so they are just here, serving no purpose other than eating the paint off your car You get used to them, but they are not harmful, they don't bite, they are just a pain

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

If it makes you feel better, the love bugs are all over here (Houston) right now too! It is amazing how many can attach themselves to your car in a short time. ;-)

Rebecca

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Even though they won't bite, they freak Maddy out! She doesn't like the "flying" bugs.

 

[NotUrsula]

Don't blame the University of Florida; they are not genetically engineered! They are actually from South America, and they migrated north to the US sometime in the last century; the thing about them being genetically engineered is an urban legend.
http://www.snopes.com/critters/lurkers/lovebugs.htm

Love bugs have been around for decades, and I played with them all the time as a kid in Louisiana 40 years ago; we liked the tickly feeling when they walked on you. I believe that in those days there were more of them in Louisiana and Coastal Texas than in Florida, but that's not the case now. Something about Florida really seems to allow them to thrive.

 

[MMDRMMBL]

Yuck! will they be around in early October?

 

[hockey mom]

When we went last October we did not see them at all.

 

[DVC Jen]

OK are these wonderful lil creatures gonna be gone in two weeks? I have a daughter who FREAKS over bugs.

 

[LibertyBelle]

DVC Jen... I have lived in Central Florida for 9 years (and the Gulf Coast for 13 years prior to that) I can honestly tell you this years Love Bugs have not been out in force I have seen a few here and there but nothing major. Honestly til I read this thread I didn't even realize they were out yet. I don't think you will have a huge issue with them in the next two weeks (not saying you won't, but they don't seem to be as big an issue this season yet).

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

I agree with Liberty Bell, they aren't out in full force yet here either. The interesting thing is that they come out for a few weeks and then they totally disappear for about 6 months. (Maybe they are tired from all their "activities." )

Anyway, they are completely harmless. They are also slow moving. It is simple to swat them away before they land. I wouldn't worry about it. If it makes you feel better, they are not scary looking at all. The closest thing I can think of that they look like is 2 small black lightning bugs attached at the rear.

Rebecca