Seoul wrestles with how to handle invasion of ‘lovebugs’ | South Korea

The inhabitants of Seoul are struggling with the so -called “Lovebugs ve, which glorifies hiking trails and urban areas in the South Korean capital, and experts discuss how to deal with increasing invasions while the climate crisis attracts them to the north.

Viral images shared on social media Shows Gyeyangsan mountain Incheon, to the west of Seoul, black -covered carpet with insects with hiking trails and observation deck.

Insects officially called Plecia LongercepsDuring mating, the flying names gained their unique mating behaviors. While males die three to four days later, females live about a week and lay hundreds of eggs in the moist soil before they die.

Originally in the Southeast China, Taiwan and Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, the first in the subtropical regions of the Ryukyu Islands, the first scientifically defined During a large 2022 epidemic in South Korea.

Experts say climate crisis And in addition to mountain habitats, the urban development around the increasing temperatures makes the influence of Seoul in the urban heat-temperature of the city, while creating ideal conditions for the expansion of the temperate regions to the north.

Complaints to City Authorities More than two floors In 2023 last year from 4.418 to 9.296. Incheon took More than 100 Reports This year is one day.

The epidemic triggered the heated discussion on pest control methods.

“They have a disgusting look, but actually useful insects,” Seoul officials said In public statements, he warned that the repulsion of chemical pesticides without discrimination would kill “other organisms ve and harm people. Flies dust the flowers and the larvae enriches the soil by breaking the organic substance.

The Lovebugs themselves do not pose a direct threat to people: they do not bite as adults, do not transmit diseases or not significantly.

Instead, the authorities recommend removing insects from the surfaces, wearing light traps and adhesive pads around the outdoor lighting, and insects are drawn to bright colors and lights.

However, public patience is weak. A Seoul Institute Survey Despite the ecological benefits of 86% of the inhabitants, he saw Lovebug as pests and called the third most unpleasant insect after the cockroach and bedbug.

Government researchers notified Developing mushroom pesticides targeting lovebug larvae while minimizing ecosystem damage.

Natural population control, including Magpies and sparrows, learn to eat insects, and insects are caused by the decrease in numbers in the previously affected areas.

Lovebug typically disappears to mid -July, because its short adult life means that populations collapse rapidly after about two weeks of intensive activity.