The Lovebug (Diptera)
Twice a year the motorways of Florida host an invasion of these flies. These swarms are tied to their mating seasons: April to May and August to September. They seem to like the gas exhaust fumes of the cars, so hover over the freeways – where they often end up splattered against the cars’ windshields.
There is an Urban Legend that the Lovebugs are an escaped genetic experiment carried out at the University of Florida. This is of course not true but it makes for an interesting story.
The song is a tongue-in-cheek storytelling of the supposed origin and escape of the insects. Because.. why not?
And I get to sing this one!
Diptera Lyrics
and Song Sample
Deep in the heart of Florida
There’s a biological lab.
Tests carried out in secret,
Insects on the slab!
Experiments carried on
DNA manipulation,
Modified to control
The mosquito population.
CHORUS
But on a stormy night
there was a lightning strike
And fire came out of the wall plugs.
We escaped our prisons,
Species newly arisen
Plecia nearctica
The Love Bugs!
Love, love, bugs
Love, love bugs)
We live for Love and we die for Love,
Love, love, love Bugs!
Love, love, love Bugs!
Most of you first noticed us
Hovering over the fruit fields,
Driving down the interstate,
Splattering on your windshields.
When the truth was revealed
The Lab most strongly denied:
“It’s a Conspiracy Theory,
That’s crazy!”, so they lied!
CHORUS
But on a stormy night
there was a lightning strike
And fire came out of the wall plugs.
We escaped our prisons,
Species newly arisen
Plecia nearctica
The Love Bugs!
Love, love, bugs
Love, love bugs
We live for Love and we die for Love,
Love, love, love Bugs!
Love, love, love Bugs
BRIDGE
Genetic unintended consequences
Sadly left us with poor defenses.
When it comes to flying away, we’re klutzes
Stuck to each other by our buttses!
Love, love, bugs
Love, love bugs
We live for Love and we die for Love,
Love, love, love Bugs!
Love, love, love Bugs