Harlequin ladybirds swarm UK homes in autumn migration

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 22:32 · Archive

Harlequin ladybirds are swarming into UK homes, particularly in the south-east and Midlands, but pose no danger to humans.

Harlequin ladybirds are swarming into homes throughout the UK as autumn arrives. People have reported hundreds of the tiny insects scaling their walls, windows and doors. The species, originally found only in the south-east of England, has gradually been spreading northwards into the Midlands.

These non-native ladybirds can carry a sexually transmitted disease, but Max Barclay, Senior Curator of Beetles at the Natural History Museum, confirmed this cannot be passed on to humans. The infection is a fungus that forms yellow crusts on the ladybird's exoskeleton and is visible to the naked eye.

Barclay explained that harlequin ladybirds ancestrally hibernated in large clusters in caves and hollow trees. In the absence of these natural shelters, they attempt to enter homes through small gaps around loose-fitting windows and doors. He stressed there is nothing to panic about: the insects cannot transmit disease to humans, cannot hurt people, and are unlikely to exterminate native fauna.

The Natural History Museum advises UK households to close and properly seal their windows and doors to prevent the ladybirds from entering their homes.

How it is being reported

• Swarms of STD-infected insects flood homes across UK - how to spot themHarlequin ladybirds have been spreading widely across the Midlands but originally, they were only found in the south-east of EnglandThe Mirror · 30 Oct, 22:07
• Horror as plague of STD-infected insects raiding homes across UKA certain species of bug can carry STDs.Daily Express · 30 Oct, 20:39

In this story: Harlequin ladybirds · Natural History Museum · Max Barclay · UK · South-east England · Midlands

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