Latest news with #TimCoulson
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."
Metro
13-07-2025
- Science
- Metro
Why are there so many ladybirds in the UK just now?
Ladybirds are among the cutest creepy crawlies: you find handbags in the shape of them, and some people think they bring you luck if you wish on one. But even the loveliest things can get a bit much, and you might have noticed there being rather a lot of the cute red bugs around this year. Either we're all about to see something extremely fortune happen (Keir Starmer would be happy about this), or there's something else going on. The most striking illustration of just how many are about was at Lord's Cricket Ground on Thursday, when play had to be stopped because players were too busy swatting away the swarming insects. Commentators at the England vs India match initially thought they were flying ants, which were also seen around London last week. But they were eventually revealed to be the dotty red bugs, which are feasting this year due to the warm weather. Experts say it is down to to hot summer we've had so far. We're in our second heatwave in just a fortnight, with glorious sunshine tempting humans out to frolic in parks and gardens as well as the ladybirds. Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, said hotter weather means there is more for ladybirds to eat, so they are thriving. 'Insects, including ladybirds and aphids, tend to speed up their lives in warm weather,' he said. So warm weather means more aphids because they can complete each generation faster. 'Ladybirds eat aphids, and an abundance of aphids mean ladybirds have a lot to eat,' he said. And we shouldn't be annoyed about seeing more of them around than usual: 'People should learn to love the ladybirds. They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video '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. More Trending '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. Dr Brown, who is an organiser of the UK Ladybird Survey, added that the increase in numbers should be seen as a positive. With bees and other insects under threat from loss of biodiversity and the changing climate, it's nice to see a rare example of a bumper number of bugs. And toddlers everywhere will be happy to watch them beetle and buzz around, as long as their numbers last. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Scorching 40°C temperatures 'will soon become the new normal for the UK' MORE: First bubonic plague death confirmed in the US since 2007 MORE: Trump calls reporter 'evil' for asking if Texas flood warnings went out in time
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Ladybird numbers 'very high' due to warm weather, say experts
Ladybirds are being seen in "very high numbers" this year because of the warm weather, an expert has said.A swarm of the creatures disrupted cricket at Lord's in London on Thursday, distracting players and leading to a brief pause in England's contest against and ladybird expert Prof Helen Roy, from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, said it was because of high numbers of aphids, which they eat, as well as warm Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, said people should "learn to love" the bugs because of their key ecological role. Prof Coulson 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."Because ladybirds eat aphids, they also have an abundance of food."They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species," he said."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."Prof Roy said people could support insects in their garden by leaving shallow dishes with a small amount of water in."Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds," she said. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Science
- Telegraph
Ladybirds swarm across Britain in biggest plague since 1976
The biggest ladybird invasion since the summer of 1976 has been caused by a string of heatwaves. Experts said that the bugs are being seen in 'very high numbers' this year because of the warm weather. It comes after a swarm of the insects disrupted play during the cricket at Lord's on Thursday. The insects distracted players and led to a brief pause in England's contest against India on the first day of the third Rothesay Test. Ollie Pope, the England vice-captain, called it a first in the sport. He said after the match: 'I've never seen that, no. That's a first that the crowd have got that today.' Prof Helen Roy, an ecologist and ladybird expert 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. '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, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, encouraged people to 'learn to love' ladybirds. 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 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. '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, 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. 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.' 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.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Why the UK is seeing an increase in ladybirds as swarm stops play at Lord's
The warm weather is causing the increased sightings of ladybirds, experts say, after a swarm of the insects disrupted play during the England cricket side's test against India. The influx of the creatures at Lord's on Thursday led to a brief pause in the fixture after they were proving too distractive for the players. 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. '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.' Speaking after the first day of the third test, England's vice-captain Ollie Pope called it a first in the sport 'I've never seen that, no,' he said. 'That's a first that the crowd have got that today.' Nevertheless, experts are encouraging people to learn to love the ladybirds. Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford 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 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. '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. '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. 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.
