Well this is grim.
A species of ladybird, which have STDs, have begun to invade the UK. They’re called the Harmonia axaridis but also known as the Harlequin Ladybird.
Originating in Asia, there have been large swarms spotted in Britain, with celebrities such as Gary Lineker even saying they had been attacked by the pests.
Just been attacked by loads (don’t know the collective noun) of Ladybirds. They are all over me. This is not a fantasy. ?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 28, 2016
Unfortunately, because there are 24 different common variations of the Harlequin Ladybird they are hard to distinguish from the ordinary ladybirds which are present in the UK and Ireland.
Before we get too scared of them though, the STDs they carry won’t affect humans. According to The Mirror, the disease they carry is called “Laboulbeniales” and is a type of fungi which is spread through mating. It’s main afflication on the bug is a yellow growth which can be visable from the outside.
Humans cannot contract or pass on the disease.
According to The Irish Wildlife Trust, there have been a few cases of Harlequin Ladybird invasions in Ireland in the past and if they continue to come here it could have massive implications for our native ladybirds. They say:
“The Harlequin causes problems in the natural environment in that it has a wide dietary range, outcompeting native ladybirds for their main prey of aphids and even consuming other ladybird species eggs and larvae.
They can reproduce up to three generations per year whilst most other native ladybird species will only reproduce once. They are a serious threat to our native species and it is important that we monitor their arrival and impact.”
They have reached the UK recently so they could venture further to Ireland this year.
The advice if you find one in your house is to avoid crushing them for two reasons. The first is because it’s better to leave them be and remove them in a humane way from your house and the second is that they have a chemical which can ruin furniture.
