Lovebugs, a seasonal headache for Alabama drivers

Alabama motorists face an unwelcome fall ritual that has nothing to do with traffic or construction delays: swarms of lovebugs. The insects, formally known as Plecia nearctica Hardy, appear twice a year, peaking in May and again in September. The fall emergence is typically heavier, with clouds of the bugs often described as plaguelike. Lovebugs get their name from their mating habit, frequently flying in pairs while coupled. Females live only a few days, but swarming can last up to a month before the insects disappear. They thrive in moist environments, especially after rainfall, and are often found around farmland,...

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