Nature & Environment

Huge swarm of ladybugs descends upon the UK due to hot weather

By T.K. Randall
July 21, 2025

Image: Ladybird
Credit: Dominik Stodulski / CC BY-SA 3.0 (adapted) Most of the time it is quite a privilege to see a ladybug owing to their striking coloration and distinctive shape - but fascination can quickly turn to disgust and even distress when you end up surrounded by thousands of them at the same time.

This is the situation currently facing people in towns across the UK this week as a period of unusually hot summer weather has brought about a huge boost in ladybug numbers.

Social media users were quick to post clips showing thousands of the insects crawling all over the sides of buildings, on cars and even on people - with locals struggling to get away from them.

The issue is particularly bad in seaside towns such as Weston-Super-Mare.Scientists have likened the situation to the ladybug invasion of 1976 and believe that the hot weather has produced a huge increase in the number of aphids - the ladybug's main food source.

"It's happened before and will happen again," insect biologist Professor Stuart Reynolds told Mail Online. "Boom and bust cycles are common in nature."

"Ladybirds may give you just a little nip sometimes - just to check whether you are edible or maybe because your skin is a bit salty - but they won't do any damage."

"It's not a plague! Ladybirds are lovely and we should celebrate them! Everyone loves a ladybird!"


Source: Mail Online

Tags: Ladybugs