Support Us Button Widget

Austin, city of love… bugs

Get ready for lovebug season in the spring and fall.

Two black bugs with red heads connected by the ends cling to a white flower.

Isn’t it romantic?

Photo via Judy Gallagher on Flickr

What are all these black bugs with red heads flying around and cluttering our cars? They’re lovebugs and we’re in the midst of one of their semi-annual flights.

April-May and August-September is lovebug mating season. During this time, lovebugs attach to each other facing opposite directions and remain attached for as long as 12 hours until the mating ritual is complete. The male detaches and dies while the female lays the eggs in moist, damp areas. It’s not dinner for two at Garrison, but if it works for them…

Lovebugs are lovers, not fighters, so they don’t bite and are totally harmless… but be sure to clean them off your car or they could damage your paint.

More from ATXtoday
The new venue will fit 4,000 people in southeast Austin and is expected to be delivered in early 2027.
Let’s take a deeper dive into some of Austin’s historical markers, the significance they hold, and how long they’ve been standing.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
The countdown is on to Austin’s biggest music festival, and we’re here to help you maximize your wristband.
You have hundreds of sets to choose from this HAAM Day, and your attendance helps make sure Austin-based musicians stay healthy.
Parking in the city doesn’t have to be hard or expensive if you heed these tips from your friendly neighborhood editor at ATXtoday.
Whether you call it bubble tea or boba tea, we’ve brewed up the list of quali-tea boba shops you have oolong been waiting for.
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
The 2025 edition of the festival will also debut a new food court called ACL Eats South so festival-goers can fill up without missing tunes.
Sometimes you get the munchies late at night, so we’re helping out with a list of spots that stay open late around Austin.