TAMPA, Fla. — Lovebugs can be a tremendous pain for so many in Florida. When they come out, it’s as if they have taken over the world.

The lovebug usually makes an appearance shortly before summer and in the fall in the months of September or October. However, you might have noticed that the massive invasion didn’t take place over the last couple of months. It’s as if they just disappeared.

It all comes down to a lack of heavy rainfall and Florida experiencing drier conditions.

Associate Professor Deby Cassill works in the biology department at the University of South Florida. She says the lovebugs are an incredible insect that can survive extreme conditions.

“Our climate is changing, and it’s getting hotter and drier," she said. "The lovebugs aren’t maturing, the larva aren’t maturing, and they are quietly waiting underground.”

Cassill says that this last summer was very hot and lacked enough rainfall.

Biologists aren’t the only ones noticing the lack of lovebugs. Spectrum News reached out to an auto detailing shop who says they’ve seen a major drop in calls for lovebug removal on the front of cars.

Anthony Santiago owns First Class Detailing based in Palm Harbor. His shop does everything from detailing to ceramic wraps on vehicles. He says lovebug removal can be big business because if you leave the bugs on your car it can damage the paint. It’s one of the reasons customers get a ceramic cover put on the front of their cars.

“Say you drive this car for five years and put 50,000 miles on it when it’s time to get rid of it and the lovebugs stain the clearcoat, you can take it off and the paint looks brand new,” Santiago said.

The lovebug is just dormant right now, but if some heavy rains come our way, you could see them pop up in the near future.