They belong to the fly family "Diptera"
Named: "Plecia nearctica Hardy" after an entemologist from Galveston that wrote the first paper about them in 1940
They range from North Carolina to Texas to Mexico and Costa Rica
They visit twice a year in April and May and September and October
They don't bite
They don't damage crops
They don't fly at night
The female's total life span is 68 to 90 hours and she lays over 100 eggs a day during this time
They are mysteriously attracted to:
asphalt
methane (ugh)
irradiated auto exhaust fumes (gas and diesel)
ultraviolet highway light
intersections
traffic lights
truck stops and service stations

Key information: THEY DON'T FLY AT NIGHT

Disclaimer: info stolen from Texas Coop Power Magazine

Regards,
Draggin S

 

They kinda taste like green peanuts.......wonder if they would taste like boiled peanuts if ya boiled em

 

"Urban Legends Abound:
It is theorized - without much merit - that the love bugs were a product of a University of Florida experiment gone wrong. In an attempt to control the mosquito population, UF scientists invented sterile female crossbreeds that would mate with male mosquitos and doom the population. But the scientists accidentally created males, too, and released them into the wild"

 

In the article, it says....their food supply comes from sources such as mulch, compost and flower beds. Lovebugs are vegetarians, so they do not eat mosquitoes or other insects.......damn!

 

Another fact: They don't come out in mass until around 11AM (CST). Something to do with heat I think.

Our current infestation has lasted over 4 weeks. I have lived in Florida all my life and can't remember them lasting this long. Usually gone in about three weeks.

Getting really tired of cleaning the bike!! [:@]

 

Genus: Foulus Ickyus
Species: Irradicus Impossibilus
Common Name: Love bug

A small black-winged insect usually found attached to another small black-winged insect at the posterior end. (It is often difficult to tell who is driving and who is following.) It was once thought that these joined flying bugs were mating. It is now known, however, that they team up to make a larger stain on vehicle paint, glass, and chrome. When crushed, a yellow highly staining paste is found inside. This paste has been considered for use on the nose and belly of the space shuttle. It is impervious to most cleaning attempts and actually grows harder to remove when exposed to higher temperatures. These insects congregate in roadways in order to extract maximum frustration from fastidious vehicle owners. There is no known purpose for this insect except to bolster sales of cleaning products within affected geographic areas. They are extremely difficult to extract from between teeth or inside ears. The national speed limit was raised from 55mph to 70 mph a few years ago to try and kill more of the pests, but this has not been successful. While billions are lost each year due to highway deaths, their numbers continue to increase. The Harley Davidson Company is experimenting with a paint color to match the residual stain left after impact with these insects for those riders without the perseverance to remove it.

Source: south carolina encyclopedia of screwed up bugs

 

Small german built automobile named Herbie