Plecia Nearctica 

Biological Overview

Habitat 
Along the Gulf Coast they live in moist grassy humid areas. 
 
Diet 
Decaying plants and flowers and drink flower nectar. 
 
Role in Ecosystem 
They are Recyclers  by decomposing plants and grasses .  
 
Behavior 
They fly in joined pairs and with the female leading the way. 

Human Impact

Humans attract Love Bugs to highways by hot car engines. Love Bugs get confuse with the smell of car engine with decaying flowers which cause them to come to highways. They decrease their population by mowing the grass were they lay there eggs but it can ruin their homes   but also provide them food.  

Creative Exploration

It’s almost April and yesterday I saw one that looked like me with a black body and black smokey wings. 

Each afternoon I go out when the sun is shining and it is very warm and go mate with a fly that looks like me and a bug, my twin in a smaller body. 

I fly with my mate to the southeastern USA along the Gulf Coast often near green grass, smell of gasoline, and the scent of flowers. 

After our flight  across the USA, my mate and I stay together for a couple of days, and then my mate and I die. We both lived a happy and peaceful life. 

Cassie Peters, Damani Lewis 

Book 3