Latest news with #insectinfestation
France 24
09-07-2025
- Science
- France 24
Rotten insects, viral videos and climate change: S.Korea battles 'lovebug' invasion
First identified in South Korea a decade ago, Seoul is now annually hit by a weeks-long infestation of the Plecia nearctica insect, a type of March fly nicknamed "lovebug" for their distinctive mating behaviour, which sees them fly around in coupled pairs. Huge clouds of the insects, which are harmless to humans, blanket apartment walls and mountain trails and, after they quickly die, leave behind piles of rotting black remains and a foul stench. Complaints about the bugs, which scientists believe came from southern China and have surged with rising temperatures linked to climate change, have risen sharply, Seoul city data showed. Even K-pop BTS idol RM is seen seemingly cursing upon spotting the insects in a viral video, with fellow bandmember Jin separately seen casually blowing a lovebug out of his way mid-performance. "In general, many insects tend to grow more rapidly in warmer temperatures," Ju Jung-won, a deputy researcher at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, told AFP. "As for the lovebugs, it looks like the temperature and environment found in foreign regions where they are active are now taking hold in South Korea as well, allowing them to survive here." At the peak of Gyeyangsan Mountain in Incheon, west of Seoul, public servants wearing makeshift protective gear struggled to clear piles of dead insects, as vast swarms of the bugs circled in the air, making it hard for people in the area to keep their eyes open. At their worst, the piles of dead lovebugs in parts of the mountain were "stacked more than 10 centimetres (four inches) high," said Jung Yong-sun, 59, who was tasked with pest-control duties. Walking through them, he added, "felt like stepping on something soft and cushiony." The unpleasant odour took many by surprise. "At first, I thought it was food waste... Turns out, it was the stench of dead bugs," said Ahn So-young, a 29-year-old hiker. "I cried when I came up here. I was so scared." 'Really delicious' Park Sun-jae, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources, told AFP that the bugs were first reported in South Korea in Incheon in 2015. "Since 2022, the population has begun to surge," Park said, adding that they were now "found throughout the greater Seoul metropolitan area". This year, the infestation has been widely documented online, with content creators flocking to the worst-affected areas to cash in on the inundation. One YouTuber collected a massive pile of the bugs and turned them into a "burger patty", mixing them into batter before frying and eating them on camera. "It's not bad. It's really delicious," he said in the video, which has garnered more than 648,000 views. On Gyeyangsan Mountain, content creators Kim Ji-young and Sam Jung intentionally dressed in white — a colour known to attract the bugs — and filmed themselves being swarmed. "This is probably something I'll never experience again in my lifetime," Jung said, as his hat and clothes were crawling with the bugs. Beneficial insects? But for many Seoul residents, the bugs aren't just a viral moment. They are disrupting daily routines. In Daejo Market in Seoul's Eunpyeong district, restaurant owners had to constantly blow the bugs away to protect their ingredients. Dead insects kept piling up on the floor -- putting severe pressure to the cleaners' workload. "I want to be able to eat lunch without worrying about lovebugs landing on my face or getting into my food," business owner Chang Seo-young, 48, told AFP. Lovebugs -— seen by South Korean officials as "beneficial insects" for breaking down plant matter —- typically disappear naturally by early July. But scientists warn that given the unpredictability of the climate crisis, the possibility of insect species -- including ones more harmful than lovebugs -- invading the country cannot be ruled out. "I worry that future generations will have to suffer so much," said Jeon In-hyeop, a 29-year-old visitor to Gyeyangsan Mountain, after surveying parts of the summit covered in bugs. © 2025 AFP
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Mating ‘lovebugs' swarm city, plaguing residents
Swarms of "lovebugs" have descended upon South Korea, blanketing a mountain peak, infiltrating homes, and sticking to car windows, prompting a surge in public complaints. These insects, scientifically known as Plecia nearctica, are distinctive for flying attached to one another while mating, earning them monikers such as united bugs, double-headed bugs, or honeymoon flies. First detected in parts of Seoul in 2022, the lovebugs have since proliferated, with large groups now appearing throughout the capital and surrounding areas, primarily between late June and early July each year. While the insects pose no health risk, as they do not transmit diseases or sting humans, their sheer numbers have become a significant nuisance. Public grievances have mounted over the bugs sticking to car windows, the walls of houses, restaurants, and even subway trains. The scale of the infestation was vividly illustrated recently on Gyeyang Mountain in Incheon city, just west of Seoul, where clouds of lovebugs hovered over the peak. One man told local media how the mountain was "covered with bugs" that formed a "thick carpet". Local television stations showed scenes of observation decks swarming with the insects, with workers constantly shovelling dead bugs from the ground. Wang Hyeon-jeong, an official from the Gyeyang district, confirmed the dramatic increase, stating on Tuesday: "Compared with the past two years, the number of lovebugs sharply surged last weekend at the mountain." The 395-meter (1,295-feet) mountain provides the type of hot, humid weather conditions in which lovebugs typically thrive, the Environment Ministry said, possibly leading to the insect population surge. In Seoul and other areas, it is not yet clear whether there have been more lovebugs than in previous years. The ministry said it will review the seriousness of this year's case after the insects disappear, likely by mid-July. South Korean officials view lovebugs as beneficial insects, saying they help pollinate flowers as their larvae convert plant materials into organic components. Officials are avoiding chemical pesticides by using sticky pads and spraying water to cope with the large insect population. Many experts say the flow of lovebugs to South Korea, likely from China, is associated with the country's warming temperature and is linked to climate change.
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
South Korea struggles to grapple with invasion of ‘lovebugs'
Swarms of "lovebugs" have descended upon South Korea, blanketing a mountain peak, infiltrating homes, and sticking to car windows, prompting a surge in public complaints. These insects, scientifically known as Plecia nearctica, are distinctive for flying attached to one another while mating, earning them monikers such as united bugs, double-headed bugs, or honeymoon flies. First detected in parts of Seoul in 2022, the lovebugs have since proliferated, with large groups now appearing throughout the capital and surrounding areas, primarily between late June and early July each year. While the insects pose no health risk, as they do not transmit diseases or sting humans, their sheer numbers have become a significant nuisance. Public grievances have mounted over the bugs sticking to car windows, the walls of houses, restaurants, and even subway trains. The scale of the infestation was vividly illustrated recently on Gyeyang Mountain in Incheon city, just west of Seoul, where clouds of lovebugs hovered over the peak. One man told local media how the mountain was "covered with bugs" that formed a "thick carpet". Local television stations showed scenes of observation decks swarming with the insects, with workers constantly shovelling dead bugs from the ground. Wang Hyeon-jeong, an official from the Gyeyang district, confirmed the dramatic increase, stating on Tuesday: "Compared with the past two years, the number of lovebugs sharply surged last weekend at the mountain." The 395-meter (1,295-feet) mountain provides the type of hot, humid weather conditions in which lovebugs typically thrive, the Environment Ministry said, possibly leading to the insect population surge. In Seoul and other areas, it is not yet clear whether there have been more lovebugs than in previous years. The ministry said it will review the seriousness of this year's case after the insects disappear, likely by mid-July. South Korean officials view lovebugs as beneficial insects, saying they help pollinate flowers as their larvae convert plant materials into organic components. Officials are avoiding chemical pesticides by using sticky pads and spraying water to cope with the large insect population. Many experts say the flow of lovebugs to South Korea, likely from China, is associated with the country's warming temperature and is linked to climate change.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
2 Arlington restaurants closed: ‘Severe gnat infestation' at 1 repeat violator
Two restaurants in Arlington were temporarily closed after severe insect infestations, according to city records. There were 79 restaurant health inspections between May 4 and May 17, according to data from the city compiled by the Star-Telegram. Arlington restaurants are scored on a 100-point system. A score of 100 is a perfect score, and 70 is considered to be extremely poor. Mis Tragos Bar & Grill at 1606 New York Ave. was temporarily closed after inspectors found violations including rodent droppings and a severe gnat infestation, as well as 'general filth' throughout the eatery, a city spokesperson said. The restaurant had not fulfilled the requirements for reopening as of Wednesday, a spokesperson for City of Arlington said in an email. Its kitchen received a score of 61. The restaurant's bar scored 72. The restaurant has had a history of closures over several inspections. The city of Arlington had previously closed Mis Tragos Bar & Grill in January and April of this year. Jay Jay Cafe #2 at 1001 S. Bowen Road was temporarily closed on May 5 after health inspectors observed a roach infestation at the restaurant. It reopened the next day on May 6 after completing pest control and cleaning requirements, a city spokesperson said. The restaurant scored 85. Any restaurants that score 75 or less are reinspected by the city. There were 22 followup inspections during this cycle. Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Arlington for May 4th - May 17th, 2025 A score of 100 is a perfect score and 70 is considered to be extremely poor. Reinspections will be conducted for restaurants that score 75 or less. If serious health and sanitation violations are considered an imminent health hazard, the restaurant will be closed until the identified health hazard has been mitigated. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a restaurant name. You can also sort by score. Steve Wilson swilson@ Some data analysis in this story was conducted using AI. For more information on how the Star-Telegram and McClatchy newsrooms are using AI, go here. 🚨 More top stories from our newsroom: → Fort Worth ISD board approves plan to close 18 schools → TCU student murder case moves toward trial → Mansfield ISD board approves superintendent's contract [Get our breaking news alerts.]
