Love bugs suck...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 34,574
Likes: 2,087
From: TOAK Northern Branch
Love bugs just sound annoying. You guys are lucky. We are going into the second year of Tent caterpillars. Probably going to be another two years before they are gone. If you aren't sure what those are, they are a mess. Imagine thousands (literally) of caterpillars walking across roads in search of leaves. Now imagine when you run over this useless crawler with your car or worse a bike. It turns into one big grease spot. The worse I have seen them was in the early 80's. I was 4 but remember them well. Walking along the train tracks with my dad and them things were all over you. But you're only 4, everything is scary, you say. The town is in a valley, 7% - 8% grade both sides for approx 5 km. Tractor trailers had to chain up in the middle of summer to get out of the valley. They were spinning out on the hills. The train, well they couldn't get in or out of the valley (Train tracks are at 2.5% grade) One big grease spot. Love bugs make you clean your bike, tent caterpillars make you stop riding for 2-3 weeks. When they emerge again, I'll send pics.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
They are out by the millions twice a year. The late summer hatch seems to be the worst.
They will completely cover a windshield and front of a car. Not just make a mess of your windshield, but during the peak, totally block it. The roadsite parks in northern Florida has automatic hoses that you can drive by before entering a highway to help wash them off. Along the interstates that are bordered by the pines, the buckets at gas stations will have so many from people cleaning their windshields, the water is thick and smells horrible.
Here is a pic:
http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.6080...598727&pid=1.7
The worst place for them I have seen is I-10 between Crestview and Tallahassee Florida during their late summer hatch. When they hit at highway speed, they kind of mash and it feels like a drop of water. If you don't get them off your paint they have an enzyme that will leave a pit in the clearcoat or paint.
The crazy thing is the Bainbridge Bikefest is always scheduled right in the middle of their late summer hatch. Back when I was still riding with a half helmet, I would have to wear a bandana to keep them off my face and out of my mouth.
For you northerners, they look exactly like a lightening bug, except they are all black, don't light up, and are flying coupled with another bug.
Last edited by Jonesee; May 19, 2014 at 05:57 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 75
From: CA
Road back from Disney to Pensacola in late summer. It was funny listening them wreck themselves on my full face helmet.
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Here's my SG last summer after a ride around Lake Okeechobee. I was the second bike, the bike in front of me won the prize for the most dead love bugs. They get into all kinds of crevices on the bike and take forever to clean out of the fairing, headlights and chrome bolts and covers.
