The Ministry of Environment announced on the 4th that it will support field response personnel and equipment for the control and disposal of the red bug (hereinafter referred to as lovebug) in Gyeonggisan, Incheon. The Ministry will also initiate research and development in preparation for potential outbreaks of other insects while establishing a systematic foundation.
The lovebug is an invasive species believed to have originated in southern China, first identified in the country in 2015, and it has been experiencing mass outbreaks centered on the metropolitan area every year from June to July since 2022. Notably, this year, there has been an unusually large outbreak of lovebugs in Gyeonggisan, Incheon, necessitating urgent field support.
The personnel from the Ministry of Environment deployed for field support in Gyeonggisan, Incheon, include 37 employees from headquarters and affiliated agencies such as the National Institute of Biological Resources, Han River Basin Environmental Office, and the National Wildlife Disease Control Institute. They will collaborate with about 10 pest control personnel from the Gyeong district office to conduct pest control operations using blowers, insect nets, and spraying equipment. Given that the lovebug carcasses left on site are causing unpleasant odors and inconveniencing residents, they plan to focus on a large-scale collection operation.
The Ministry of Environment has decided to additionally apply three units of 'light collection equipment' on site to capture lovebugs. The Biological Resources Institute had previously urgently installed four units of light collection equipment being tested on site in Gyeonggisan, Incheon, on the 2nd. The operational results confirmed its effectiveness in attracting and capturing lovebugs.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment plans to strengthen the response system in coordination with local governments in preparation for potential outbreaks of other insects this year. According to the Ministry, there is a possibility of mass outbreaks of species such as the giant water bug, Tongyang mayfly, U.S. lanternfly, and black flies even after July.
The Ministry of Environment plans to activate a council including Incheon City, Gyeonggi Province, and relevant basic local governments as part of the 'Ministry of Environment-Seoul City-National Institute of Biological Resources collaboration system' that has been in operation since last year, and to extend coverage to adjacent local governments if necessary. A 24-hour response task force will also be established. Through participation from an advisory group composed of experts, the Ministry aims to apply the latest research results to the field promptly.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment plans to increase long-term research and development investments related to insect outbreaks. It aims to expand 'AI-based insect outbreak prediction and control technology development' research to study the impacts of climate crisis-induced ecological changes on insect habitats. The Ministry plans to focus investment on securing eco-friendly and species-specific control techniques and equipment. In addition, it will begin listing insects that are likely to arrive in Korea due to climate change and intensify research related to their characteristics and control.
Institutional measures for managing insects that cause significant inconvenience to the public will also be established. Currently, there is a lack of legal basis for managing mass outbreak insects such as lovebugs, which has made it difficult to secure budget support and research and development resources for local governments. To improve this, the Ministry plans to derive a formal management species designation and systematic response plan through discussions with various stakeholders, including experts, local governments, and civic groups.
Kim Tae-oh, the head of the Ministry of Environment's Natural Conservation Bureau, said, 'The insect outbreak situation this year is extremely serious, and the uncertainty in the ecosystem exacerbated by climate change means that it remains a situation where we cannot let our guard down this summer.'
He added, 'We will closely monitor the occurrence status and, if a mass outbreak occurs, we will cooperate with local governments from the outset to respond, and the Ministry of Environment will actively support personnel, equipment, and emergency pest control budgets.'