North Florida is under attack, and I don’t think anyone is doing a damned thing about it. All week long this part of the sunshine state has been swarmed by “lovebugs,” scientifically known as Plecia nearctica. Apparently these bugs are members of the family of march flies and go by the cutesie names of honeymoon fly, kissingbug, and double-headed bug. The darned things fly around coupled together during and after they mate for up to several days.
And they do it everywhere. I had to wade through a storm of the nasty little buggers yesterday to get into my vehicle outside of an elementary school. I was slapping and flapping and waving my bag at them, but a host of the entangled insects still managed to make it into my car. This morning I found two in my purse. Ew. Just ew! While I admire their tenacity and endurance, the whole idea of me carting around a pair of cavorting lovers is kind of low brow. Does this make me a pimp? A madame? Is my handbag now a mobile bug brothel?
The lovebugs aren’t all bad, though. The birds are enjoying a moveable feast with all of the distracted, romantically involved bugs in the air, and lovebug larvae are lauded as one of nature’s best organic recyclers. The adult lovebugs are great pollinators, as well. But the pair I found copulating in my handbag won’t be pollinating anything. Ever again.
Peace, People!
Praying for Eyebrowz 