IFAS Extension
Release Date: 8/5/2025
Agriculture
Abstract
The lovebug, Plecia nearctica Hardy, is a bibionid fly species that motorists may encounter as a serious nuisance when traveling in southern states. It was first described by Hardy (1940) from Galveston, Texas. At that time he reported it to be widely spread, but more common in Texas and Louisiana than other Gulf Coast states.
About this Publication
This document is EENY 47, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date August 1998. Revised April 2015 and November 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the lastest version of this publication.
How to Cite
Denmark, H. A. (Skip), Mead, F. W., & Fasulo, T. R. (2009). Lovebug Plecia nearctica Hardy (Insecta: Diptera: Bibionidae). EDIS, 2009(1). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in204-1998
Authors
H. A. Denmark
emeritus entomologist, FDACS Department of Plant Industry
F. W. Mead
retired hemipterist (deceased), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry
Thomas R. Fasulo
retired scientist, UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology
Contacts
Elena Rhodes
staff
University of Florida
biological scientist III, Department of Entomology and Nematology