43 Complaints About Oriental Mayflies in Seoul From January to June
During the Same Period, 5,200 Complaints About Lovebugs
The number of complaints regarding Oriental mayflies in Seoul this year has dropped significantly to one-sixth of last year's level.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on July 12, a total of 43 complaints related to Oriental mayflies were received from the beginning of this year through the end of last month. This represents a decrease of nearly 200 cases compared to 240 complaints during the same period last year. In contrast, complaints about the red-backed hairy fly (commonly known as the "lovebug") reached as many as 5,200 during the same period.
The appearance of an Oriental mayfly clinging inside the subway. Screenshot from an online community
The Oriental mayfly, which is attracted to bright lights and is often referred to as "Tinkerbell," inhabits clean water of at least Class 2 quality and does not cause direct harm to humans. However, due to its phototactic nature, it often appears in large numbers around residential and commercial areas, causing inconvenience to citizens. Most complaints were concentrated in riverside areas such as Gangdong-gu, Seongdong-gu, and Gwangjin-gu along the Han River.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government believes that proactive pest control measures have effectively contributed to the decrease in complaints. The city and local districts began preemptive control efforts along waterfronts and streams starting in May, which is when larvae are expected to emerge. Oriental mayflies typically begin their adult activity in mid to late May. Seongdong-gu is currently operating 364 eco-friendly pest control devices, while Yongsan-gu has expanded the use of electric insect killers from 12 locations last year to 22 this year, operating a total of 50 devices.
Experts have also pointed out that seasonal factors played a role in the effectiveness of pest control. The occurrence of Oriental mayflies is largely determined by environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall. This year, spring rainfall was lower than average, and the onset of the first heat wave was delayed, which naturally led to a decrease in the population.
However, due to their ecological characteristics, Oriental mayflies may appear again in the fall. There is a possibility that their numbers could temporarily increase when temperatures drop after August. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is developing a light-based trapping device in collaboration with research institutions, taking advantage of the mayflies' attraction to light. In particular, the city is experimenting with countermeasures such as installing yellow lighting that eliminates blue light, since this insect is especially attracted to blue wavelengths.
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