Love bugs

[GiGi30]

We will be going from 9/15-22 and I have head alot about these "love bugs". How bad are they?? I saw a picture on Wikipedia of a bus stop in Disney covered with them. Here is the link to the pic. You will need to scroll down a bit to see it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_bug

 

[spiceycat]

believe me when they come out in force (like last year) - it will be posted here.

been going the same time you are (and again this year) for around 6 years - last year was definitely the worst it has ever been.

you couldn't do anything they were so bad. so we went out during the night.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I have never been there when they were a problem. Yes, my car gets covered with them and yeah, sometimes they land on me. I can see where they would drive Floridians bonkers, kind of like midges drove me nuts when I lived where they hung out. But I can shoo them away for a couple weeks and not get frazzled.

 

[grimley1968]

This is off-topic, but I read that love bugs were a University of Florida experiment that obviously went awry. Is that true?

I've been to both Ocala and WDW during the exact time of year mentioned, and while yes, they make a nasty mess on my car, I never really had a problem with them when they weren't dying on my car while being a little too focused on, well, being love bugs.

Editing to say: I read the Wikipedia entry for it, and it answered my question about UF/love bugs. I don't believe everything Wikipedia says (much of it is blatantly false), but I'll buy what it said about UF.

 

[HayGan]

We were in WDW in May this year (May and Sept are Lovebug season) and although they were annoying sometimes they weren't awful. I was expecting them to be much worse than they were. They are completely harmless and I wouldn't worry to much about them.

I didn't notice them at all when we were there last year in Sept.

 

[famsen]

Anyone know the approximate date this year when the love bugs are expected to make their appearance?

 

[spiceycat]

last year they were there already.

so either they haven't arrived or there are so few of them that it doesn't matter.

believe me when they get in your face - you will notice them.

so wear sun glasses and a hat - no open drinks outside.

 

[disnut8]

Anyone know the approximate date this year when the love bugs are expected to make their appearance?

Love bugs, like hurricanes, don't read calendars so there's no certain date they arrive or leave.

These bugs are totally harmless. Yes, they can be plentiful but other than landing on you, they aren't going to bite or sting you and you aren't going to get any diseases from them. They are just harmless little bugs whose sole purpose in life is to mate.

We like the little guys. They are just doing harmless bug things.

 

[spiceycat]

We like the little guys. They are just doing harmless bug things.

I agree until last year.

several got in my hair. a couple almost went in my mouth. Had to talk with a piece of paper across my mouth.

that say - last year was the first really, really bad year I had seem. also go in May.

 

[fla4fun]

Love bug fall season can be anytime from mid-August to mid-October. It lasts about five weeks, with about two to three really bad weeks. Last September was the worst I've ever seen them in over 25 years of living in Florida. This past May was about average. They like being out during the hottest part of the day, so your best bet is to hit the parks early, go back to your resort for a rest break, then go back to the parks in the evening.

So far, I haven't seen any lovebugs yet, but it's still a little early. I expect to start seeing them very soon.

 

[tinawv]

My sister and I were in WDW September 20-25 last year and they were pretty bad. One actually flew in mouth while I was talking, and I nearly choked to death. When our family went in September 2005 we didn't see a one. They may be harmless, but they sure can be a nusiance.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have been to WDW many times when the love-bugs covered the car - but never had any trouble with them in the parks.

 

[pugluver31902]

I was there last september, and in my opinion, they were HORRIBLE. The would just blanket you while waiting for the buses. We did the backlot tour and they had to stop the tram a few times because people were jumping off trying to get away from them. At EPCOT they were the worst while walking over the bridge things. They were a HUGE annoyance, but they dont bite so I guess its ok. Obviously that didnt stop us as we are going again this year the exact same week!

 

[KPtoys]

there is a bug site that has a link to a swarm of LB's... gee, i cant wait to go gotta bring the bug netting for the stroller!!

http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/luvbug.html

 

[disneydance]

Relax they are yucky and all but there harmless

 

[TinkerBelle314]

Does anyone know if they are out yet, and if so how long they have been here so far? Thanks

 

[NotUrsula]

This is off-topic, but I read that love bugs were a University of Florida experiment that obviously went awry. Is that true?

Nope. They are a species of May Fly, Plecia nearctica Hardy. They were first documented swarming in Louisiana in the 20's. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG068

They like the color white and they LOVE exhaust fumes, so a WDW bus stop would be heaven for them. When swarming (known as the "flights") they mate non-stop whenever they are airborne, because flying adults only live 3-6 days. They are only active in the daytime, most noticeably in late morning, about 10 am.

They don't bite, just tickle. It won't hurt you to touch them (or even swallow one), they don't carry disease. The enzymes in their squashed corpses will damage auto finishes though, so if you drive your own vehicle in Florida during a flight, you'll want to wash it every 3 days or so.

 

[dreamergirl78]

Before our trip last year I kept reading how horrible they were. I was expecting it to be really bad. When we got there I was pleasantly surprised to find out (in my opinion) it was really not that bad. We saw them on some benches and on the stairs at the resort, but nothing to prevent us from coming back again this year around the same time!