Why lovebugs are swarming the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry this month

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Coastal Empire and Lowcountry have their fair share of pests, but residents across the region may have noticed one insect making an overwhelming appearance over the past few weeks: lovebugs.

Technically a species of march fly, lovebugs are commonly drawn to heat, moisture, and white surfaces. Adults typically live just four to five days, spending most of that brief lifespan paired together to reproduce.

While the insects pose no direct threat to humans, their numbers have seen a noticeable spike across the region this summer. Experts with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office in Chatham County say local weather conditions created the ideal environment for a population surge.

“They lay eggs in things like your lawn, pasture, and dead plant matter,” said Clark Evans, agriculture and natural resources agent for the Chatham County Extension office. “And then things like heat, temperature, humidity, water, moisture, all kind of combine, and it means that a lot more eggs hatch than if it’s super dry out. So this year’s been very hot. There’s been lots of rainfall here in Chatham County, and that means lots of lovebugs.”

For those tired of scrubbing insects off windshields and car hoods, relief is around the corner. Evans said the lovebug spike is already declining, with their seasonal cycle expected to wind down by the end of the month.