Latest news with #HelenRoy


BBC News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
High temperatures bringing loads of ladybirds, say experts
Warmer temperatures are behind an increase in the number of ladybirds this year, says ladybird expert Professor Helen Hoy says "very high numbers" have been seen because the warm weather has increased the number of aphids, which ladybirds feed on.A group of ladybirds are known as a 'loveliness', and Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, said we should "learn to love" these little bugs."They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species," he do you think? Have you spotted many ladybirds around this year? Let us know in the comments. Earlier in July, these little ladybirds caused a lot of disruption at a cricket match at Lord's Cricket match between India and England was paused while swarms of ladybirds and flying ants invaded the Professor Coulson said the arrival of extra numbers of ladybirds shouldn't be seen as a bad thing."A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of Earth in a healthy state," he expert Professor Roy, from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, says there are a number of ways you can help look after ladybirds."If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them," she said. "Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds."


The Sun
14-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Beachgoers are ‘hiding in cars' as ladybirds swarm beaches in biggest ever plague since 1976
BEACHGOERS have been left scrambling to their vehicles, after a swarm of ladybirds descended on the UK. A string of heatwaves have hit the nation so far this year, bringing scorching temperatures and droughts. 5 5 5 And the hot weather has also brought with it the biggest swarm of ladybirds since 1976. Social media clips show huge plagues of the red beetles invading the beaches of Western Super Mare, crawling over tourists and coating cars. Horrified sun-seekers raced to their motors, clambered inside and shut the doors, to avoid the stream. The bugs have all been seen flocking to a restaurant in the popular tourist destination, landing on tables, customers and dinner plates. Meanwhile, residents of the South East reported seeing "millions" of ladybirds, with researches explaining that they like to forage in coastal areas. 'There was loads flying about,' one resident said. 'One landed on my face and other ones were landing on my dogs.' This comes after England's third test match against India was stopped last week, due to a swarm of ladybirds attacking the cricketers. England 's vice-captain Ollie Pope said of the incident: I've never seen that, no." "That's a first that the crowd have got that today." Ecologist and ladybird specialist, Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said of the large swarms: "Many species of aphid-feeding ladybird such as the seven-spot ladybird are being seen in very high numbers this year. "This is a consequence of the high aphid numbers and warm weather. People are reporting many sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey through iRecord, which is fantastic. "If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them. Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds." Tim Coulson, a professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, encouraged people to 'learn to love' ladybirds. Why are ladybirds swarming the UK? The UK is currently experiencing a significant surge in ladybird populations, primarily due to a combination of warm weather and an abundance of their main food source: aphids. Warm temperatures speed up the life cycles of insects, including both aphids and ladybirds, leading to faster reproduction and increased numbers. This creates a plentiful food supply for ladybirds, allowing their populations to swell. Ladybirds play a crucial role in the ecosystem as natural predators of aphids, which can be a major pest for plants. This isn't the first time the UK has seen such a remarkable ladybird boom; similar high numbers were recorded in the summer of 1976, one of the hottest and driest on record. This historical context highlights the strong link between sustained warm weather, high aphid populations, and the resulting increase in native ladybird numbers. He said: 'Warm weather means more aphids because they can complete each generation faster – insects, including ladybirds and aphids, tend to speed up their lives in warm weather. 'Ladybirds eat aphids, and an abundance of aphids means ladybirds have a lot to eat. 'People should learn to love the ladybirds. They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species. 'Much in the way that wolves keep deer numbers in check in some parts of the world, ladybirds keep aphid numbers down. 'A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of Earth in a healthy state.' Dr Peter Brown, an associate professor in ecology and conservation at Anglia Ruskin University, revealed that the last year lady bird number were this high was in the summer of 1976, one of the hottest and driest on record. He said: 'In 1976, there were a lot of seven-spot ladybirds on the beaches as they searched for food and people thought they were invading – they were not, as they are native to the UK.' According to the British Entomological and Natural History Society, over 23 billion ladybirds swarmed the southern and eastern coasts of England that summer. 5


Edinburgh Live
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Edinburgh Live
British families 'hide in cars as biggest ever' swarm of ladybirds invades beaches
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Experts are raising concerns over a boom in ladybird populations, driven by the perfect mix of sporadic rain and warm periods. Over the past weekend, social media was flooded with videos showing 'huge numbers' of these beetles as Brits contended with 'millions' swarming beaches and other locations during the intense heatwave. A TikTok video depicted the scene at Weston Super Mare, where ladybirds inundated the sandy expanses, clambered over sunbathers, and covered cars and other vehicles. Beach visitors were seen dashing to their cars, slamming doors shut to escape the invasion. In another episode at Weston, the beetles were filmed taking flight, engulfing a seafront restaurant just yesterday. The England versus India cricket match at Lord's was briefly interrupted last Thursday when a downpour of ladybirds, flourishing in the hot conditions, unsettled the players. An expert has observed that ladybirds are appearing in 'very high numbers' this year due to the warmth, following the disruption at the cricket game. This event follows closely after the UK's flying ant day, where similar weather patterns resulted in enormous swarms of those insects as well, reports the Mirror. The sudden emergence of these creatures at Lord's in London last Thursday caused a short interruption during England's clash against India on the opening day of the third Rothesay Test. England's vice-captain Ollie Pope was taken aback by the peculiar occurrence, admitting in a post-match comment: "I've never seen that, no,". "That's a first that the crowd have got that today." Professor Helen Roy, an ecologist and ladybird expert from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, has disclosed: "Many species of aphid-feeding ladybird such as the seven-spot ladybird are being seen in very high numbers this year. "This is a consequence of the high aphid numbers and warm weather. People are reporting many sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey through iRecord, which is fantastic. "If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them. Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds." For those interested in contributing to the ladybird survey, further information can be found here. Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, has called on the public to embrace ladybirds. "Warm weather means more aphids because they can complete each generation faster – insects, including ladybirds and aphids, tend to speed up their lives in warm weather," he explained. "Ladybirds eat aphids, and an abundance of aphids mean ladybirds have a lot to eat. People should learn to love the ladybirds. They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species." Dr Peter Brown, associate professor in ecology and conservation at Anglia Ruskin University, made a playful comparison: "Much in the way that wolves keep deer numbers in check in some parts of the world, ladybirds keep aphid numbers down. A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of earth in a healthy state." He reminisced about the last significant increase in ladybird numbers: "In 1976 there were a lot of seven-spot ladybirds on the beaches as they searched for food and people thought they were invading – they were not, as they are native to the UK," while also acknowledging more recent surges. As someone deeply involved with the UK Ladybird Survey, Dr Brown highlighted the positive aspects of the current rise in ladybird numbers: "Much in the way that wolves keep deer numbers in check in some parts of the world, ladybirds keep aphid numbers down. A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of earth in a healthy state."


Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Beach-goes 'flee to cars' as ladybird swarming 'biggest ever'
People across the UK are reporting huge numbers of ladybirds in towns and cities and even on beaches as the perfect conditions have led to a boom in the insects Experts are sounding the alarm over a surge in ladybird populations, fuelled by the ideal combination of intermittent rain and warm spells. This past weekend, social media was abuzz with clips showing 'huge numbers' of these beetles as Brits grappled with 'millions' invading beaches and other spots amid the scorching heatwave. A TikTok video captured the scene at Weston Super Mare, where the ladybirds swarmed the sandy stretches, clambered over sunseekers, and blanketed cars and other vehicles. Beachgoers were seen scrambling to their vehicles, slamming doors shut to avoid the onslaught. In another incident at Weston, the beetles were caught on camera as they took to the skies, engulfing a seafront eatery just yesterday. The England versus India cricket match at Lord's was momentarily halted last Thursday when a deluge of ladybirds, thriving in the hot conditions, caused a stir among the players. An expert has noted that ladybirds are appearing in 'very high numbers' this year due to the warmth, following an interruption at the cricket game. This phenomenon comes hot on the heels of the UK's flying ant day, where similar weather patterns led to massive swarms of those insects too. The sudden appearance of these creatures at Lord's in London last Thursday caused a brief disruption during England's face-off against India on the opening day of the third Rothesay Test. England's vice-captain Ollie Pope remarked on the unusual event. "I've never seen that, no," he commented post-match. "That's a first that the crowd have got that today." Ecologist and ladybird specialist, Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, has revealed: "Many species of aphid-feeding ladybird such as the seven-spot ladybird are being seen in very high numbers this year. "This is a consequence of the high aphid numbers and warm weather. People are reporting many sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey through iRecord, which is fantastic. "If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them. Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds." To fill in the ladybird survey click here. Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, urged people to "learn to love" ladybirds. "Warm weather means more aphids because they can complete each generation faster – insects, including ladybirds and aphids, tend to speed up their lives in warm weather," he said. "Ladybirds eat aphids, and an abundance of aphids mean ladybirds have a lot to eat. People should learn to love the ladybirds. They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species." Dr Peter Brown, associate professor in ecology and conservation at Anglia Ruskin University, cheekily pointed out: "Much in the way that wolves keep deer numbers in check in some parts of the world, ladybirds keep aphid numbers down. A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of earth in a healthy state." He fondly recalled the last "boom year" for ladybirds being the scorching summer of '76, although he did note that there have been more isolated booms since then. "In 1976 there were a lot of seven-spot ladybirds on the beaches as they searched for food and people thought they were invading – they were not, as they are native to the UK," he clarified. As an organiser of the UK Ladybird Survey, Dr Brown emphasised that we should welcome the ladybird population's uptick due to the current warm conditions as an unalloyed good.


Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
Ladybird swarming 2025 'one of biggest in recent memory' experts say
Ladybird swarming 2025 'one of biggest in recent memory' experts say Sunseekers are seaside flee millions of insects as weather conditions see huge numbers hatch Ladybirds are swarming in uncommon numbers this year due to perfect weather conditions, experts say (Image: Getty ) Experts are warning of a major increase in ladybird activity, triggered by the perfect mix of alternating wet and warm weather. And this weekend saw people posting videos of them in 'huge numbers' as people complained of 'millions' on beaches and other locations as the heatwave hit. One video posted to tiktok showed swarms of the insects at Weston Super Mare. The footage showed them crawling all over the beaches, on sunbathers and cars and other vehicles. People fled into their cars and shut the doors in a bid to escape. In another at Weston the ladybirds were filmed flying through the air and covering a seafront restaurant yesterday. On Thursday the England versus India cricket match at Lord's briefly stopped after an influx of ladybirds – which are said to be in high numbers because of the heat – distracted players. Ladybirds are being seen in 'very high numbers' this year because of the warm weather, an expert has said, after a swarm of the insects disrupted play at the cricket. And it follows on from flying ant day in the UK where the conditions also led to huge numbers of the insects swarming. The influx of the creatures at Lord's in London on Thursday distracted players and led to a brief pause in England's contest against India on the first day of the third Rothesay Test. England's vice-captain Ollie Pope called it a first in the sport. 'I've never seen that, no,' he said after the match. 'That's a first that the crowd have got that today.' Article continues below Ecologist and ladybird expert Professor Helen Roy, from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said: 'Many species of aphid-feeding ladybird such as the seven-spot ladybird are being seen in very high numbers this year. Content cannot be displayed without consent 'This is a consequence of the high aphid numbers and warm weather. People are reporting many sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey through iRecord, which is fantastic. 'If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them. Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds.' To fill in the ladybird survey click here. Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, encouraged people to 'learn to love' ladybirds. 'Warm weather means more aphids because they can complete each generation faster – insects, including ladybirds and aphids, tend to speed up their lives in warm weather,' he said. 'Ladybirds eat aphids, and an abundance of aphids mean ladybirds have a lot to eat. People should learn to love the ladybirds. They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species. Content cannot be displayed without consent 'Much in the way that wolves keep deer numbers in check in some parts of the world, ladybirds keep aphid numbers down. A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of earth in a healthy state.' Dr Peter Brown, associate professor in ecology and conservation at Anglia Ruskin University, said the last 'boom year' for ladybirds was during the hot summer of 1976, although there have been years in between when there has been a rise but the locations have been more isolated. Ben Stokes of England reacts as the pitch becomes covered in flying ants and ladybirds leading to a halt in play during Day One of the 3rd Test Match (Image: Getty Images ) 'In 1976 there were a lot of seven-spot ladybirds on the beaches as they searched for food and people thought they were invading – they were not, as they are native to the UK,' he said. Article continues below Dr Brown, who is an organiser of the UK Ladybird Survey, added that the increase in numbers should be seen as a positive and the current warm conditions were the reason.