Are 'Lovebugs' Past Their Peak? Experts Warn Hikers of Potential Surge Next Week

[Anchor]

The lovebug, an unwelcome guest of summer, is being spotted in various places again this year. Analysis suggests that concerns over a massive outbreak have eased somewhat, thanks to larval control efforts. However, caution is still advised, as the population may continue to increase in forested areas until next week.

Reporter Jang Seon-i has the story.

[Reporter]

I visited Baengnyeonsan Mountain in Seoul, where a large number of lovebugs appeared last year.

The number of trapped lovebugs has actually decreased compared to a week ago.

The situation is not much different at Yongwangsan Mountain and Suraksan Mountain in Seoul, where most of the public complaints were concentrated this year.

[Park Seon-jae / Researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources: Compared to last week, it has clearly decreased... if we compare this area.]

[Lee Geon-sik / Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province: It has decreased significantly. They are gone. If you walk around, you might see one or two? You don't really see them. I guess it's because of the pest control measures.]

With the amendment of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act this year, a legal basis for controlling insects that appear in massive numbers was established. Analysis indicates that the larval control efforts for lovebugs have been effective.

As temperatures rise, lovebugs mature into adults more quickly.

Due to the early onset of hot weather, their emergence began earlier this year than in previous years.

Observations suggest that the peak of the outbreak may have already passed in urban areas.

[Park Seon-jae / Researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources: In urban areas, the population is expected to show a downward trend starting this week.]

However, it is too early to conclude that the peak has passed in forested areas, where temperatures are relatively lower than in the city.

There have been cases in previous years where lovebugs suddenly swarmed in late June, and experts believe the population could continue to increase in forested regions until next week.

The 'Lovebug Map' website, where citizens directly report sightings, has received nearly 9,000 reports just this week.

The final results on the effectiveness of the larval control efforts are expected to be released around the end of next month.

(Video reporting: Kang Si-woo | Video editing: Jo Mu-hwan)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.