1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses the recent appearance of large swarms of “love bugs” in the Seoul metropolitan area. The article explores the possible reasons behind this phenomenon, including the bugs’ resistance to pesticides and their origins in China and Taiwan.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 러브버그 | Leobeobbeogeu | Love bug | Lately, there has been an increase in the number of love bugs swarming around. |
| 중국 | Jungguk | China | The original habitat of the love bug is in southern China and Taiwan. |
| 걸로 | Geollyo | Seems like | It seems like the next week will be a critical period for dealing with the love bug problem. |
| 지역에서 | Jigyeogeseo | From the region | It is estimated that the love bugs have spread and increased their presence in Korea after being introduced from the region. |
| 있는 | Inneun | Existing | The love bugs are existing in large swarms, causing inconvenience to people. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
최근 수도권 지역에서 대규모 떼를 지어 날아다니는 러브버그 때문에 많은 사람들이 불편을 겪고 있습니다. 앞으로 일주일이 이 문제의 고비가 될 것으로 보입니다. 방제용 비닐 띠에 붙잡힌 벌레들이 시커멓게 달라붙어 있는 모습을 볼 수 있습니다.
There has been an increase in the number of love bugs swarming around the Seoul metropolitan area, causing a lot of inconvenience to people. It seems like the next week will be a critical period for dealing with this issue. You can see the dark-colored bugs stuck to the pest control vinyl strips.
외래종인 러브버그가 사람들의 몸에 붙어 불쾌감을 주어 퇴치해야 한다는 목소리가 있지만, 실제로는 이 벌레가 사람에게 해를 끼치지는 않습니다.
While the love bug is an invasive species that attaches to people’s bodies, causing discomfort, it actually does not harm humans.
러브버그의 자생지는 원래 중국 남부와 타이완 등입니다. 중국에서 지속적으로 유입되었다기보다는 일시적으로 들어왔던 것이 국내에서 자체 번식을 거쳐서 세력이 커진 것으로 추정됩니다.
The original habitat of the love bug is in southern China and Taiwan. It is estimated that the love bugs were introduced temporarily from the region, and then they have spread and increased their presence in Korea through reproduction.
전문가들은 이 벌레를 유인하는 성분이 다른 특이성 때문에 이런 현상이 나타났다고 분석하고 있습니다. 또한 이 벌레들이 살충제에 대한 저항성이 있어서 퇴치가 쉽지 않다고 합니다.
Experts analyze that this phenomenon is caused by the unique components that attract the love bugs. They also say that the bugs have resistance to pesticides, making it difficult to exterminate them.
러브버그 떼가 도심을 휩쓸면서 사람들의 불편이 커지고 있지만, 이 벌레 자체는 해를 끼치지 않는다고 합니다. 다만 외래종이라는 점에서 생태계 교란 가능성이 있어 주의가 필요합니다.
As the swarms of love bugs sweep through the urban areas, people’s inconvenience is growing, but the bugs themselves do not cause any harm. However, as an invasive species, there is a possibility of disrupting the ecosystem, so caution is required.
이번 러브버그 발생 현상은 이들의 특이한 생태적 특성과 더불어 기후변화 등 외부 요인에 의한 것으로 보입니다. 앞으로 이런 외래종 유입 문제에 대한 대책 마련이 필요할 것으로 보입니다.
The recent occurrence of love bugs seems to be due to their unique ecological characteristics as well as external factors such as climate change. In the future, measures will be needed to address the problem of invasive species introduction.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is the main reason for the large swarms of love bugs in the Seoul metropolitan area?
- Where is the original habitat of the love bug?
- Why is it difficult to exterminate the love bugs?
- What are the potential concerns regarding the love bugs as an invasive species?
- What other factors, besides the bugs’ characteristics, may have contributed to the current love bug situation?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The love bug, also known as the “kissing bug,” is an insect that has been the subject of folklore and superstitions in some cultures. In some parts of the world, the appearance of large swarms of love bugs is seen as a harbinger of love or good luck. However, the recent influx of love bugs in the Seoul metropolitan area has caused more inconvenience than superstition, leading to discussions about effective pest control and the potential ecological impact of this invasive species.