THE UK is facing the largest “ladybird invasion” since 1976, with Brits being forced to hide in their cars.
Thousands of ladybirds have hit towns and cities nationwide as experts have said it is the largest sighting in almost 50 years.
5
5
Scientists have said this is due to the hot weather.
Videos on social media show the swarming bugs, as seaside towns like Weston-Super-Mare are rife with insects.
Described as a “ladybird apocalypse”, the spotted bugs can be seen covering surfaces.
One viral video shows benches and umbrellas coated in the insects.
The user urged people considering coming to the beach to bring a face mask.
Another video showed a woman in a white top with her back covered in ladybirds.
She captioned the video: “Take this as your sign to not go to the beach today and get swamped by ladybugs.”
Professor Stuart Reynolds told MailOnline that the “recent hot, dry weather” was a factor in the influx of bugs.
He added that: “Ecology is complicated and this is a multi-factor problem.”
The sunny weather conditions have likely led to an increase in aphids, which ladybirds eat.
Professor Reynolds believes that this in turn has led to a boom in ladybird populations.
While Brits might be concerned, Reynolds offered reassurance that they have “absolutely nothing to worry about”.
They might give you “a little nip” but are unlikely to cause any damage.
Instead he said we should welcome and celebrate the bugs.
It comes after Britain has faced gloriously warm sunshine, with temperatures peaking at 34C last Friday.
Ladybirds’ life cycles speed up during the warmer weather, as more insects are born.
5
5
However, Brits might see a decline in ladybirds in the coming months.
The recent hot weather has caused vegetation and aphids to die off.
With nothing left to eat, they might start to migrate elsewhere.
Ladybirds can be advantageous to farmers as it keeps numbers of pest species down, reducing the need for insecticides.
Similarly, wasps have seen a rise in the UK after finishing their hibernation early.
Brits might see jumbo nests earlier than usual, as warmer weather has moved forward their usual September-October schedule.
The boom and bust of ladybirds
Experts have said that the influx of ladybirds has been caused partly by “recent hot, dry weather”.
It has led to an increase in aphids which ladybirds eat.
This in turn has led to a boom in ladybirds.
The warm weather also speeds up their life cycles meaning more insects are born.
Once the weather gets too hot it can cause aphids to die, and ladybird populations will decline again.
5
