In case you haven’t noticed, there’s an explosion of love in the air. Love bugs. LSU Ag Center entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says love bugs are prolific procreators.
“A female can lay an egg mass that has about a hundred to three hundred and fifty larvae in there,” Ashbrook says.
That’s 100 to 350 larvae. From one mating. Ashbrook says the summer’s heavy rains make welcome environments for the baby bugs.
“Because its been so moist they’re able to survive much better,” He adds.
He says we have a lot of large swarms this year because of moist leaves and other organic matter. And he adds as much as they are a nuisance, they aren’t a threat to humans. In fact, they’re an important part of the food chain.
“They are an important insect in the South. They do serve as food for a lot of wildlife, so we’re going to just have to learn to love the lovebugs,” he says.
They mate for at least twelve hours, but then when they detach, the female lays eggs and they both die.
Comments