Latest news with #NationalInstituteofBiologicalResources
The Star
20 hours ago
- Science
- The Star
South Korea launches emergency response to battle lovebug outbreak
The Environment Ministry is working alongside local officials from the Gyeyang District Office, deploying equipment such as blowers, insect nets and water sprayers in a full-scale pest control operation. - AFP SEOUL: Hundreds of Instagram posts and YouTube videos have recently spotlighted a growing nuisance across South Korea: the sudden and severe outbreak of lovebugs. To contain what is quickly becoming a 'crisis', the Environment Ministry launched an urgent pest control operation on Friday (July 4) in Incheon's Gyeyang Mountain area, the epicentre of this summer's outbreak. The unprecedented explosion of the insects, officially known as Plecia nearctica, or red-backed march flies, has prompted the government to dispatch 37 personnel. The ministry is working alongside 10 local officials from the Gyeyang District Office, deploying equipment such as blowers, insect nets and water sprayers in a full-scale pest control operation. The authorities are also prioritising the collection of insect carcasses, which are causing foul odours and further discomfort to residents. To enhance control efforts, three additional light-based traps, designed to lure the bugs, were installed in the affected area. These devices, developed and tested by the National Institute of Biological Resources, showed promising results in preliminary field trials earlier this week, the ministry said. With their effectiveness confirmed, the ministry plans to expand the use of these light traps in future outbreaks. The government's long-term strategy goes beyond immediate containment. The Environment Ministry announced plans to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, expanding an existing response system established in 2023 between the ministry, Seoul Metropolitan Government and the National Institute of Biological Resources. The updated framework will now include Incheon, Gyeonggi province and other nearby municipalities, with additional coordination among local governments if necessary. A 24-hour emergency response team has also been activated, and an advisory panel of entomologists and ecologists is working to ensure the swift application of the latest scientific findings to on-site responses. Officials are preparing for future outbreaks of other pests likely to thrive under the changing climate, including stick insects, Asian mayflies, citrus flatid planthoppers and non-biting midges. A major policy shift is also under way. Currently, insects like lovebugs are not legally classified as pests under national regulations, limiting funding and coordination efforts. The ministry is now reviewing legal reforms to officially designate such insects 'managed species', which would streamline support for local governments and facilitate faster deployment of control measures. 'The situation this year is particularly serious, and climate change is intensifying ecosystem volatility,' said Kim Tae-oh, director general of the nature conservation bureau at the Environment Ministry. 'We will closely monitor outbreaks and act swiftly in coordination with local governments, while offering full support with manpower, equipment and emergency budgets.' - The Korea Herald/ANN
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
South Korea launches emergency response to battle lovebug outbreak
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox To contain what's quickly becoming a 'crisis', the Environment Ministry launched an urgent pest control operation on July 4. SEOUL - Hundreds of Instagram posts and YouTube videos have recently spotlighted a growing nuisance across South Korea: the sudden and severe outbreak of lovebugs. To contain what's quickly becoming a 'crisis', the Environment Ministry launched an urgent pest control operation on July 4 in Incheon's Gyeyang Mountain area, the epicentre of this summer's outbreak. The unprecedented explosion of the insects, officially known as Plecia nearctica or red-backed march flies, has prompted the government to dispatch 37 personnel. The ministry is working alongside 10 local officials from the Gyeyang District Office, deploying equipment such as blowers, insect nets and water sprayers in a full-scale pest control operation. Authorities are also prioritising the collection of insect carcasses, which are causing foul odors and further discomfort to residents. To enhance control efforts, three additional light-based traps, designed to lure the bugs, were installed in the affected area. These devices, developed and tested by the National Institute of Biological Resources, showed promising results in preliminary field trials earlier this week, the ministry said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Asia Japan urges evacuation of small island as 1,000 quakes hit region World Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending Bill wins congressional approval World Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters will start going out on July 4 Sport A true fans' player – Liverpool supporters in Singapore pay tribute to late Diogo Jota Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Business More Singapore residents met CPF Required Retirement Sum when they turned 55 in 2024 With their effectiveness confirmed, the ministry plans to expand the use of these light traps in future outbreaks. The government's long-term strategy goes beyond immediate containment. The Environment Ministry announced plans to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, expanding an existing response system established in 2023 between the ministry, Seoul Metropolitan Government and the National Institute of Biological Resources. The updated framework will now include Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and other nearby municipalities, with additional coordination among local governments if necessary. A 24-hour emergency response team has also been activated, and an advisory panel of entomologists and ecologists is working to ensure the swift application of the latest scientific findings to on-site responses. Officials are preparing for future outbreaks of other pests likely to thrive under the changing climate, including stick insects, Asian mayflies, citrus flatid planthoppers and nonbiting midges. A major policy shift is also underway. Currently, insects like lovebugs are not legally classified as pests under national regulations, limiting funding and coordination efforts. The ministry is now reviewing legal reforms to officially designate such insects 'managed species', which would streamline support for local governments and facilitate faster deployment of control measures. 'The situation this year is particularly serious, and climate change is intensifying ecosystem volatility,' said Mr Kim Tae-oh, director general of the nature conservation bureau at the Environment Ministry. 'We will closely monitor outbreaks and act swiftly in coordination with local governments, while offering full support with manpower, equipment and emergency budgets.' THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Science
- Korea Herald
South Korea launches emergency response to battle lovebug outbreak
Hundreds of Instagram posts and YouTube videos have recently spotlighted a growing nuisance across South Korea: the sudden and severe outbreak of lovebugs. To contain what's quickly becoming a "crisis," the Environment Ministry launched an urgent pest control operation Friday in Incheon's Gyeyang Mountain area, the epicenter of this summer's outbreak. The unprecedented explosion of the insects, officially known as Plecia nearctica or red-backed march flies, has prompted the government to dispatch 37 personnel. The ministry is working alongside 10 local officials from the Gyeyang District Office, deploying equipment such as blowers, insect nets and water sprayers in a full-scale pest control operation. Authorities are also prioritizing the collection of insect carcasses, which are causing foul odors and further discomfort to residents. To enhance control efforts, three additional light-based traps, designed to lure the bugs, were installed in the affected area. These devices, developed and tested by the National Institute of Biological Resources, showed promising results in preliminary field trials earlier this week, the ministry said. With their effectiveness confirmed, the ministry plans to expand the use of these light traps in future outbreaks. The government's long-term strategy goes beyond immediate containment. The Environment Ministry announced plans to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, expanding an existing response system established in 2023 between the ministry, Seoul Metropolitan Government and the National Institute of Biological Resources. The updated framework will now include Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and other nearby municipalities, with additional coordination among local governments if necessary. A 24-hour emergency response team has also been activated, and an advisory panel of entomologists and ecologists is working to ensure the swift application of the latest scientific findings to on-site responses. Officials are preparing for future outbreaks of other pests likely to thrive under the changing climate, including stick insects, Asian mayflies, citrus flatid planthoppers and nonbiting midges. A major policy shift is also underway. Currently, insects like lovebugs are not legally classified as pests under national regulations, limiting funding and coordination efforts. The ministry is now reviewing legal reforms to officially designate such insects 'managed species,' which would streamline support for local governments and facilitate faster deployment of control measures. 'The situation this year is particularly serious, and climate change is intensifying ecosystem volatility,' said Kim Tae-oh, director general of the nature conservation bureau at the Environment Ministry. 'We will closely monitor outbreaks and act swiftly in coordination with local governments, while offering full support with manpower, equipment and emergency budgets.'
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
To these creators, lovebugs aren't just pests. They're clickbait
Lovebugs are swarming not just the streets, but also social media with digital creators chasing, filming and even snacking on them (yes, really) Amid a frenzy of swarming lovebugs swallowing Seoul, digital creators are cashing in on the chaos with clickbait videos, from insect-eating to dramatic bug hunts. Chambo, an Australian TikToker with nearly 980,000 followers known for his short-form content about Korean culture, recently drew attention after posting a 'mukbang' video, or eating show, filmed on Mount Gyeyang in Incheon, the notorious epicenter of the lovebug invasion. In the video, he eats ramyeon, gimbap and snacks with lovebugs crawling on his face and clinging to his clothes. A Korean YouTuber went even further. He turned the bugs into a meal. In a video posted on his channel "Lee Chung-geun," he created a batter by combining dead lovebugs with flour and eggs and cooked it just like a beef patty for a 'lovebug burger.' Eating the burger with a spicy gochujang-based sauce and beer, he said, 'It's more savory than expected.' This video amassed 550,000 views within two days of being uploaded. Another creator filmed himself catching swarms of flying lovebugs using a giant electric bug racket, sparking a wave of comments from viewers tired of the ongoing infestation. 'Apparently he's doing it for the views and money, but honestly, I'm just thankful he's catching the lovebugs for us. It gave me a bit of relief from the stress,' one comment read. However, not everyone is amused. Some are expressing fatigue over lovebug videos constantly popping up on their social media feed. 'Seeing lovebugs on the streets is tiring enough. Now they're swarming my YouTube feed. Honestly, I hope these clickbait YouTubers vanish in two weeks just like the bugs. It's so annoying how they're trying to cash in on the situation,' one user wrote. Lovebug populations, known for their low survival rates, typically decline sharply around two weeks after a mass emergence. Since June, an outbreak of lovebugs, a species of March fly known for flying in mating pairs, has quickly spread across Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi Province. The capital region has become a hotspot for the summer bugs, as its dense buildings and LED streetlights create the warm, humid conditions they favor. Irritated by the fact that the lovebug outbreak seemed confined to the greater Seoul area, one social media user even claimed to have brought the insects' carcasses to Busan and scattered them in multiple places. What we know about the lovebug outbreak so far After first being spotted in Incheon in 2015, lovebugs saw a major outbreak in 2022 in Seoul's Eunpyeong District and Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The insects have now spread throughout all 25 districts of Seoul. They originated from China's Shandong Province, according to the National Institute of Biological Resources, which conducted DNA tests on lovebug specimens collected from China, Taiwan and Japan. Lovebugs in Korea were found to carry genes that allow them to resist pesticides and adapt to heat stress. Meanwhile, these insects have few natural predators, largely because of their acidic, sour-tasting body fluids and tough exoskeletons, which make them unappealing to common insect-eating animals such as birds or frogs. 'With no natural predators, their population often grows quickly at first, but typically stabilizes over time. But recently, during field research, we've frequently observed birds like magpies and sparrows, as well as spiders and mantises, preying on lovebugs," said Park Seon-jae, a researcher at the NIBR. 'I believe nature's self-regulating mechanisms will eventually kick in, though it will take some time for the population to come under control."
