Will Someone Please Tell Me What Lovebugs Are?

[Tigerisinme]

Hi,
I hear loads of you talking about Lovebugs and i haven't a clue what they are!
Please tell me.

 

[skuttle]

They are little black bugs (with some red) that fly...they often fly in "pairs" (if you know what I mean ) The do not bite or sting...they're just aggravating because they are everywhere at certain times of the year. We have tons of them here in Louisiana, so I'm used to them. It's awful to drive during "love bug season" because they can completely cover your windshield to the point where you can't see. YUCK!

 

[Tigerisinme]

Thank You

 

[tarmand]

Skuttle,

Hi neighbor! I saw my first lovebug yesterday. I imagine my white door with soon be covered and Hammond Aire Auto Spa will soon begin charging me the "extra $2.00 excessive bug fee".

 

[skuttle]

Oh No, Tarmand!! Not already!

 

[Rhonda]

Unlike mosquitos, they die very easily! Just tap them, either in the air or on you, and they fall to the ground!

 

[waynedh]

Scientific name: Plecia Nearctica....Will take the paint off of your vehicle if you don't wash their guts off every couple of days. I'm glad there only around for a few weeks in September and March. Much worse in September though. If you don't have them be very thankful.

 

[mam]

We saw the largest, swimming/flying bug I have ever seen while we were in the lazy river at BB. The bug dove in the water from the side of the lazy river. It had big horns on top of its head and was 3-4 inches long. The guard said that it wasn't venomous but to not let it come near you (she looked VERY concerned) because their bite was very painful. I found out later that they are called giant water bugs or toe biters because they grasp their prey with the pinchers on top of their heads and inject a needle like beak into their victim. They eat tadpoles, fish and even small ducklings by sucking out their insides. I am not making any of this up!

 

[BansheeBlue]

Oh Lordy, does this mean I need to avoid the water parks??

I had to laugh at the title of the thread. My first experience with Love Bug Season was when I was attending a conference at the Grand Floridian in 1992 (full expenses paid by my job, and let me tell ya, it was about the only time you caught me saying I LOVE MY JOB ). It was the end of August, hot and humid as all get out, and just running from our rooms to the Conference Center at the resort was like a scene from an action flick. Weaving and ducking and waving our hands over our heads like idiots, trying to wade through the clouds of lovebugs.

I was thisclose to asking one of the CM's for their parasols to use as a shield.

BTW, is love bug season over now? I'm going to WDW on Oct. 19th.

 

[WorknFires]

It's not over here in Mobile. We've had them for about a week or so but they don't seem as bad this year as in previous years.

Cheryl

 

[tc]

We just left WDW on Friday, 9/28, and only saw them a few times. They were not overly annoying. More in Epcot than anywhere else. We sat on a bench near Test Track by the interactive fountain, and there were some landing on us while we ate a pretzel. The only other time I really noticed them was when we passed a CM working at a vendor cart at dusk. We were walking acroos the bridge from FW to WS in Epcot, and she and her cart were covered with them. The look on her face was priceless. She reminded me of the Beast when all the birds landed on him. She just knew there was nothing she could do to get rid of them, so she just endured them. It was like they were bad only in places. All in all, they weren't that noticable at all. We didn't go to any water parks, so I can't speak for them there.

 

[mam]

They were a little annoying at the water park. I saw guards and people waving them away a lot but they don't hurt you. BUT do beware of the Toe Biters when you are at the water parks!!

 

[dancergirl]

I live in south Ga so I am used to the love bugs. There havent been many at all this year! Here alot of people like to chase them around and catch them! lol! They are annoying but wont hurt you at all!

 

[Boots]

Be glad you don't know! They are awful! They make an awful mess on your car when they are in swarms. Don't hurt anything just hard to clean off!

 

[issa]

ACKKKKK!! these sound mean!

what time do these monsters start showing up...is it a season or all year!!

(now in fear of my toes)

 

[mam]

I don't know if they have a "season" but.........

Look under

http://userpages.umbc.edu/~rrhudy1/insect3.htm#bug

and go to "true bugs" for more info and a lovely picture!

That is exactly what I saw!!!!!!

 

[skuttle]

mam: eeeeeewwwwwww!! yucky!! I would have passed out if I would have seen a bug like that!! yuck!!

I guess I should be grateful for the lovebugs! LOL!

 

[mam]

Yeah, well you should have seen me when my son splashed at it while we were in the lazy river!!!! That thing DOVE IN THE WATER UNDER ME!!!! I climbed on top of my inner tube screaming!! We were right next to the side wall.

 

[hellokitty]

I think i would have been calling 911 for myself, because I would be drowning myself due to the fear.....
I hate, i mean HATE, any bugs and that thing qualifies for MONSTER!!!
thank goodness it didnt land on you!

 

[mam]

You know, what kind of bug DIVES INTO WATER????? And this thing can fly too. On a web site I read an exerpt form a book where the narrator describes watching a frog "deflate" only to find out that one of those bugs had attacked the frog and was sucking his insides out!!!