Love bug complaints drop in Seoul's Eunpyeong, surge in Songpa as insects spread

Residents in Seoul's Eunpyeong district are experiencing a noticeable reduction in the 'love bug' (red-striped moth fly) population, a stark contrast to previous years when the insects were a major nuisance. Online communities in the area are filled with relieved comments, with some questioning if pest control efforts have finally succeeded.

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For the first time in one to two years, I rarely see them, whereas before, it was like a love bug paradise, making it unpleasant to go outside.

However, experts caution against declaring victory. While pest control measures have reduced adult populations in previously affected areas like Gyeyangsan Mountain, the love bugs are spreading to new regions. Kim Dong-geon, director of Sahmyook University's Environmental Ecology Research Center, confirmed that larval control in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province has decreased adult insect numbers. Yet, he noted that larvae are now being found in areas like Dongducheon and Pocheon, which had not previously reported their presence. "The overall density may have decreased, but it's too early to judge if the total population has declined," Kim stated.

Conversely, areas like southern Gyeonggi Province and Seoul's Gangnam district, once considered 'love bug-free zones,' are now grappling with a surge in the insect population. One resident in Songpa District, Seoul, reported seeing two to three love bugs on every outing and finding five to six inside their home daily, despite having new window screens. This contrasts sharply with previous years, where sightings were rare.

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We have confirmed a definite decrease in adult insect occurrences in areas where larval control was carried out in February and April, including the summit of Gyeyangsan Mountain, where a large outbreak occurred last year.

Official data from Seoul city shows a significant shift in complaint locations. While Eunpyeong District, which had 3,558 complaints in 2022, recorded only 34 this year, districts like Gwangjin (309 complaints), Jungnang (241), and Songpa (198) have seen a dramatic increase. Songpa and Gangdong districts, which had minimal complaints between 2022 and 2025, are now among the top areas reporting issues.

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Larvae are being found in areas like Dongducheon City and Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province, where adult love bugs had not been discovered before, indicating that the distribution area of love bugs is gradually expanding.

Kim suggests that the spread to new areas might be due to competition for limited resources and habitats. "Love bugs that were pushed out of their original habitats and food sources may be spreading to other regions," he explained, adding that more research is needed to fully understand the insect's ecology.

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I didn't see any last year, but this year I see two or three every time I go out. They even get through the new window screens, and I kill five to six inside the house every day.