'Lovebug' Appeared Again This Year Following Last Year
Harmless Beneficial Insect but Appearance Causes Disgust
The so-called 'Lovebug,' which struck some areas of the Seoul metropolitan area last summer, has recently appeared in large numbers centered around Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, causing a surge in related complaints. Although Lovebugs are not pests, their appearance is repulsive, and they often swarm inside buildings and on windows, causing discomfort among residents.
'Lovebug' Invades Urban Areas...Related Complaints Surge
Recently, posts have been continuously appearing on online communities reporting that Lovebugs are reappearing in Eunpyeong-gu, Goyang-si, and Gimpo-si areas. According to the Eunpyeong District Office, complaints related to Lovebugs, which used to be only 1 to 2 cases per day this month, surged to over 500 cases in just three days from the 17th to the 19th.
A netizen who stated they live in Gimpo-si said, "The bugs that started appearing around the weekend have become so numerous after the rain that it’s impossible to walk. After seeing two bugs stuck together and looking it up, I found out they are 'Lovebugs,' which were seen a lot around Eunpyeong-gu last summer. I was shocked today and filed a complaint, but since complaints are being processed sequentially, immediate pest control seems unlikely."
They added, "Children who saw the bugs screamed and ran away, and elderly people are also disgusted. If you have seen the bugs, please file a complaint as well." Other posts describing the bugs as "disgusting" and "creepy" have also been steadily posted.
These bugs, commonly called 'Lovebugs' because males and females usually travel in pairs, are officially named 'Pyrrhocoris apterus' (red-backed firebug). They mainly inhabit humid places and are less than 1 cm in size. These bugs are harmless to humans and are classified as beneficial insects that help eliminate mites.
However, due to their repulsive appearance and strong reproductive ability, they cling to pedestrians walking on the street and enter homes and shops through door gaps or window screens, causing inconvenience to citizens.
Lovebugs are mainly found in Central America and the southeastern coastal regions of the United States. However, since they appeared in the metropolitan area again this year following last year, there is speculation that they have settled domestically. Accordingly, health authorities are conducting pest control focusing on mountain foothills and residential boundary areas where Lovebugs are likely to appear.
As Lovebugs frequently swarm, some netizens are sharing control methods. For example, since Lovebugs dislike moisture, sprinkling water where they gather in large numbers can help. Also, because Lovebugs are known to prefer bright colors, wearing dark-colored clothes is another method. Additionally, spraying household insecticides or using repellents made from mouthwash is also effective.
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