Britons have been reporting large swarms of ladybirds gathering around windows and invading homes, sparking confusion on social media. Many have compared the phenomenon to flying ant day, with users describing the insects as being 'everywhere'.
Experts explain that the sudden surge is due to the annual autumn migration of harlequin ladybirds, a non-native species. As temperatures drop, these insects seek sheltered places to overwinter, often entering buildings through small openings around windows.
Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology noted that warm, sunny spells in early October trigger ladybirds to fly in search of winter habitats. The harlequin ladybird, which arrived in the UK in 2004, originates from eastern Russia, China and Japan and exhibits a wide range of colour variations.
While harlequin ladybirds can carry parasites and a sexually transmitted disease, specialists stress they pose no threat to humans. The STD appears as a yellow crust on the wing cases and is visible to the naked eye. The public is advised not to harm the insects but to gently relocate them to an outbuilding if necessary.
