• Swarms of lovebugs, or Plecia longiforceps, have surged in Seoul due to rising temperatures.
• Residents are reporting increasing complaints about the insects around hiking trails and homes.
• The City of Seoul received about 9,296 complaints last year regarding lovebugs.
• Experts link the population surge of lovebugs to climate change and warmer weather.
• The insects, though non-stinging, are causing disruptions in daily life.

Residents in Seoul are increasingly troubled by swarms of black insects known as "lovebugs," formally classified as Plecia longiforceps. These insects have surged in numbers amidst rising temperatures attributed to climate change. "Lovebugs" can be seen covering trees and ambushing hikers, particularly in areas like Gyeyangsan Mountain in Incheon, as warmer weather creates favorable conditions for their reproduction, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Last summer, the City of Seoul recorded a significant increase in complaints, with nearly 9,300 reports about lovebugs, illustrating a dramatic rise from just over 4,400 in 2023. The return of these insects, which typically appear between late June and early July, has led to public concern as they enter homes and cling to vehicles, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

The environment ministry notes that these insects do not transmit diseases, yet their proliferation presents challenges as residents report lovebugs sticking to various surfaces. Beneficially, officials do mention that lovebugs contribute to pollination, and measures to control their population have included non-chemical methods like water spraying, as discussed in detail by Reuters and Los Angeles Times.