On the lookout for Love…bugs

Lovebugs can be easily identified by the touch of red behind the head but they pose no real threat to humans. In fact lovebugs are quite beneficial because for the majority of the year the larvae live in grassy areas and feed on dead vegetation.

The adult lovebug spends almost the entirety of its remaining life copulating with its mate, hence its romantic nickname. The male and female attach themselves at the rear of the abdomen and remain that way at all times, even in flight. Sometimes, after mating, the male dies and is dragged around by the female until she lays her eggs (no not very romantic, we agree).

The only people who consider the lovebug a pest are motorists, as its slightly acidic body chemistry often results in pits and etches on cars’ paintwork when they are killed on the windscreens, bonnets, and radiator grilles.

Lovebug larvae are food for birds and predatory insects including spiders, earwigs, beetles and centipedes.

The Lovebug also known as the honeymoon fly, telephonebug, kissybug or double-headedbug.

Yorkshire pest controllers MJ Backhouse are trained to deal with a variety of insect pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, flies and fleas. If you have an insect infestation contact us today.