AI-generated clip of ‘sparrows eating lovebugs’ fools S. Korean users
After South Korea was struck by an infestation of Lovebug, publications on social networks and reports shared a video wrongly claiming that it showed a herd of sparrows eating insects on a mountain in Incheon, west of the capital Seoul. But the clip was done with AI.
“Breaking News. A LOVEBUGS predator has finally appeared! The lovebugs that cover the whole mountain are defenseless before this sparkle of sparrows?! Watch the video to see these monnets, the real rescue in action!” Reads an article in Korean language shared on the wires on July 3.
THE Eight s ofEcond Video seems to show a mountain covered with black insects and a swarm of sparrows that take care of them.
Screen capture of fake threads post captured on July 28, 2025, with a red x added by AFP
The complaint has surfaced online when the Asian nation is struggling with an invasion of Lovebug between the end of June and July, which, according to experts, underlines the worsening of climate change (archived link).
Identified for the first time in South Korea a decade ago, Seoul and neighboring cities are now struck each year by an infestation of several weeks of the insect Plecia Nearctica, a type of March nicknamed “Lovebug” for their distinctive coupling behavior, which sees them fly in coupled pairs.
The complaints concerning the bugs, which, according to scientists, come from southern China and have increased with an increase in temperatures linked to climate change, have increased sharply, showed data from the city of Seoul.
Videos of huge lovebug clouds that cover the mountain trails have drawn the attention of international media earlier this month, while they leave behind rotten black remains and a foul odor after death (archived link).
The clip was shared alongside similar claims elsewhere on Threads, X, Instagram and Facebook.
“I never thought of seeing the day I am rooting For the sparrows, “replied, while another user said:” The ability to control the nature of nature is remarkable “.
South Korean media, including SBS And Ytn FAte the clip in reports suggesting that Lovebugs predators could emerge, but have since deleted them.
Generated by AI
The video has a clear “Veo” watermark in the lower right corner, although it has been resolved in certain articles.
The name refers to the new video creation tool fed by Google, which allows users to generate realistic images currently limited to eight seconds – the same as the clip shared in false publications (archived link).
Screenshots of the video of the wires with the ‘veo’ filigree (left) and the Facebook publication, taken on July 28, 2025
A narrow inspection of the video also reveals revealing signs of AI generation, including a bird that seems to emerge from the ground before disappearing in seconds.
Another bird comes out of the thin air around the two seconds brand.
Screenshots of the false video, with visual inconsistencies highlighted by AFP
Although generative AI technology is improving rapidly, identifying visual inconsistencies is the best way to distinguish the content made from authentic materials.
Park Hyeon-Cheol, professor at the biochemistry of the Department of Life of the National University of Pusan and environmental biochemistry, said SThe Perrors cannot be considered as major predators of the bedbugs (archived link).
“The sparrows feed mainly on grains and only eat insects temporarily during their breeding season,” he said on July 28, adding that there is not enough Large cities like Seoul to keep insects under control.
“Lovebug’s infestations mainly affect the capital region, but sparrows are rare,” said Park, noting that bugs die naturally in about 10 days.
“”Given the short breeding season and the limited number of sparrows, how much can they really feed before the death of adolescents? “”
AFP has verified other information on lovebugs in South Korea.
