Lovebug - Insect Identification

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Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Lovebug

 1/3 Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen 2/3 Image Credit: Tim G. 3/3 Image Credit: Tim G.

Constant companions, male and female Lovebugs stick together through thick and thin to ensure a new generation will come.

Updated: 01/29/2025; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org A Lovebug is a type of insect in the Fly family. It is black with a bright red humpback on its thorax. It may appear to be a wasp at first glance, but its very short antennae and lack of a stinger reassures that it is physically harmless. That said, it is considered a real nuisance in the South and Mexico, especially around the Gulf coast, where large swarms of them congregate in order to mate. This often happens over a highway or interstate and drivers smack into hundreds of them, leaving carnage on the grill, hood, headlights and windshields of cars and trucks. Lovebugs are slightly acidic, so their guts may start to eat away at car paint if left on to bake in the summer sun. The longer they are on the car, the worse the damage can get. Cleaning off the mangled bodies of most insects is difficult because they dry onto the surface of the car. Elbow grease, water, soap, and patience are needed to remove them. These mating seasons occur two times a year; three in Florida. Lovebugs get their name from their mating behavior. Males and females meet as a swarm rises from the ground and join abdomens. They remain connected for hours while fertilization takes place, and are usually found paired like this when seen. One female can lay hundreds of eggs on a pile of decaying plant matter or animal dung. Within a year, larvae are mature and ready to reproduce.©InsectIdentification.org Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

General Characteristics

Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Species Breakdown Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Family: Bibionidae View More Genus: Plecia View More Species: nearctica

Identifying Information

Size, Colors, Features Scientific Name: Plecia nearctica Category: Fly or Mosquito Size (Adult; Length): 6mm to 9mm (0.23" to 0.35") Colors: black; red Descriptors: bulge; blister; humpback; connected; stuck together; acid; car paint; highway

Relative Size Comparison

Typical Size Between 6mm (0.2in) and 9mm (0.4in) Lo: 6mm Md: 7.5mm Hi: 9mm

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

U.S., Canada, and Mexico Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Mexico

Territorial Map*

U.S., Canada, and Mexico Alaska Hawaii Prince Edward Is. * MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Lovebug may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Lovebug. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits. Site Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies | Sitemap Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org 2026 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2026 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content. ©2026 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2026 (20yrs)