An surge of lovebugs has taken over parts of South Korea this summer, raising concerns among residents and experts alike. The small black insects, often seen flying in pairs, have become a seasonal nuisance, particularly across the capital region.
Lovebugs have been appearing during the summer months in recent years, but this season has seen a dramatic increase in their population. Hiking trails, such as those on Gyeyangsan Mountain, are now littered with both living and dead insects, with residents reporting significant discomfort. In heavily affected areas, piles of collected dead bugs line the paths.
"They stick to everything," said one hiker in Arirang News interview. "Even if you try to fan them away, they don’t come off easily. I couldn’t walk around without constantly swatting at them."
Several theories have been proposed to explain the increase, but many experts point to climate change as a likely contributor. This year’s monsoon season brought less rainfall than usual, while typhoons bypassed Korea and instead delivered heavy rain to southwestern China. Some scientists suggest this shift may have disrupted the bugs’ natural habitat, prompting them to migrate into Korea.
“Reduced rainfall and altered storm patterns are potential signs of climate change,” one expert noted. “These changes may have created favorable conditions for lovebug proliferation.”
Despite public frustration, lovebugs are not considered harmful. They do not bite or transmit disease, and they serve an important ecological role by decomposing organic matter and providing food for other species. This makes aggressive extermination methods difficult to justify.
Local governments have instead adopted eco-friendly approaches to manage the infestation. Some municipalities are using LED lights to lure the insects away from populated areas, while others deploy fire trucks to spray water. In certain locations, authorities are collecting the bugs manually or setting sticky traps to curb their numbers.
Experts say lovebug swarms typically peak by mid-July, after which their numbers gradually decline. However, they caution that these outbreaks are unlikely to go away anytime soon.
“Given recent climate patterns, we expect these seasonal infestations to persist,” one specialist warned. “The specific areas affected may change, but the overall trend is likely to continue.”
As lovebugs return each year in growing numbers, South Korea faces the ongoing challenge of managing the insects while preserving their ecological value.
Reference/ Image credit: Arirang news
