Love bugs escaped from the U. of Florida where they were being researched as a natural food for quail among other things. The university has always denied this due to potential lawsuits for the rubber and paint damage they cause. If you doubt it, just ask an old-timer (like me) who was around the Gainesville/Central Fla. area in the late '60s into the '70s. In May and Sept. it was impossible to drive more than about 30 miles without stopping to clean their carcasses off your windshield due to zero visibility.
They have now spread to other areas, even into Ga. and Ala. and have dissipated in this area.
LOVE BUGS? They've been in Texas long as I can remember. I got my first motorcycle in about 1967 and very quickly learned that in spring, love bugs are out and they taste quite bitter. I got a flat shield for my 3/4 coverage helmet, but they just came in under the shield. I was an adult before I could afford a full face helmet.
I found this on wiki....
"The
lovebug (
Plecia nearctica) is a species of
march fly found in parts of Central America and the southeastern United States, especially along the
Gulf Coast.
[2] It is also known as the
honeymoon fly or
double-headed bug. During and after mating, adult pairs remain coupled, even in flight, for up to several days.
[3]
The species was first described in 1940 by
D. E. Hardy, but was seen in
Louisiana as early as 1911.
[4] At that time, he reported the incidence of lovebugs to be widespread, but most common in Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and
Louisiana.
[2] However, by the end of the 20th century the species had spread heavily to all areas bordering the
Gulf of Mexico, as well as
Georgia and
South Carolina.
L. A. Hetrick, writing in 1970, found the bug was also widespread in central and northern Florida and described its flights as reaching altitudes of 300 to 450 metres (980 to 1,480 ft) and extending several kilometers over the Gulf.
[5]
Lovebugs'
larvae feed on partially decayed vegetation in the landscape and, in this respect, are beneficial to humans. Adults primarily feed on nectar from various plants, particularly
sweet clover,
goldenrod, and
Brazilian pepper.
[2]"
