These bugs inspire no love

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Lovebugs splattered on car grills have become a common sight recently.

Cruising in his 2006 Toyota Camry, sophomore Bennett Kent becomes the next victim of a swarm of lovebugs, as these supposedly “adored” creatures invade the front of his car. With the start of May creating a greater sense of romance for these irritating insects, similar cases of annoyance have spawned around campus.

Also known as honeymoon flies, these bugs infest highways all over Florida during this time of year, as they enjoy mating in temperatures 84 degrees and higher. Because of their acidic residue, lovebugs pose a threat to cars’ coats of paint.

“Lovebugs stink cause they’re so annoying,” Kent said. “I have to get my car washed all the time and the irritating thing is that they come right back.”

These flies have not only become a nuisance to drivers, but also have begun to bother students, including sophomore John Luu, at their homes.

“They have been spreading so rapidly, it’s incredible how many there are,” he said. “They’ve been really obnoxious to deal with because they’re always flying around, with some even getting into my house.”

Combating them is not an option, according to Luu.

“I can’t just stomp on them cause they’ll be fifty more flying around simultaneously,” he said. ”I’ve decided to just give up and wait it out until there aren’t as many as before.”

With lovebug season usually lasting for four weeks, students will have to continue to cope with these aroused creatures for a little longer.

“They’re everywhere,” seventh-grader Ryla U. said. “They get on my food, and I accidentally inhaled one in gym. They’re constantly flying above my head, and all around me, so I don’t really enjoy them, but they don’t hurt me or anything.”

Students reportedly complain about these little pests. It seems that as long as lovebugs are around, they will get in food, cars, hair, anything you could think of.

“They have no regard for personal space,” freshman Chloe Seifert said. “[The lovebugs] regularly invade my personal bubble, which is not a good time.”

Freshman Emily Hendrickson said a “childhood trauma” affected her outlook on the lovebugs.

“When I was in elementary school, I used to like to play with bugs,” Hendrickson said. “A lovebug landed on me at recess and I thought that was pretty cool. Then more and more landed on me and, by the time the teacher called everyone inside, I had so many love bugs on my legs, it looked like I was wearing the freshest pants in the world. Now I don’t really like love bugs anymore.”

Freshman Caroline Cahill said she has come to accept lovebugs as a fact of life.

“When I was like 6 or so, I was terrified of lovebugs and didn’t want to go near them. Recess was a nightmare,” she said. “[But] I’m honestly OK with the lovebugs in season right now. I actually feel bad for some of the lovebugs sometimes. I probably sound so weird, but they don’t really bug me too much — no pun intended.”

By Julien Wakim and Roxy Underwood