Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
Lovebugs return to Korea earlier this year
A hiker walks along the top of Mount Gyeyang in Incheon, June 29, 2025. Courtesy of Incheon Ilbo
By Park Ji-won
Insects expected to swarm from mid-June due to higher temperatures
Lovebugs — small, black-bodied flies named for the way mated pairs fly while attached to each other — are expected to swarm Korea slightly earlier than last year and for a shorter period due to higher temperatures, the state forest science institute said Monday.
The Korea Forest Service said in a statement that the National Institute of Forest Science forecast the outbreak will begin on June 15, two days earlier than last year, and end on June 29, with activity peaking on June 24. Last year's major outbreak lasted from June 17 to July 4 — a longer window that suggests this year's swarms may be denser over a more concentrated period.
“It is slightly earlier than last year and the reflection of higher spring temperatures recently,” the agency said in a statement.
The insects are cold-blooded, meaning their growth rate varies depending on ambient temperatures. The agency added that the continued warm weather appears to have accelerated their development from larvae to pupae to adults, bringing forward the expected outbreak.
The analysis is based on 439 records from the online platforms iNaturalist and Naturing and daily temperature data from the metropolitan areas from January 2022 until May 3 this year.
Lovebugs, also known as Plecia longiforceps, are not known to transmit infectious diseases and are considered harmless to people and crops, but many find them unpleasant because of their high density, prompting many to take preventive measures for blockage.
How to deal with lovebugs
▲ Dim outdoor lights at night: Lovebugs are easily attracted to light, so reduce nighttime lighting or replace lights with yellow bulbs.
▲ Check door gaps and window screens: Check for holes or gaps in window screens and block entry points with weatherstripping tape.
▲ Avoid insecticide and remove them with tissue or a broom: If lovebugs enter indoors, do not use insecticide. Remove them with tissue, a broom or similar tools.
▲ Wear dark-colored clothing: Lovebugs are attracted to bright-colored clothing, so wear darker clothes during outdoor activities.
▲ Wash cars quickly before dead insects build up: If dead lovebugs are left on vehicles, they can corrode the paint. Wash cars promptly before the bodies accumulate.