This weekend’s heatwave in the South West saw temperatures soar to 30°C, prompting many to flock to the coast for relief. But at Weston-super-Mare, a popular seaside destination, visitors found themselves besieged by an unexpected nuisance: swarms of ladybirds.
Thousands of these small red insects descended upon the beach, much to the dismay of sunseekers. One visitor described the experience as the “Worst beach day ever,” recounting how the ladybirds covered people and even bit them, leading some to cut their day short and leave.
Reports from other vacationers echoed similar frustrations. Several noted that the nearby water park was teeming with ladybirds, with bites causing discomfort. The insects were also spotted in local gardens, demonstrating just how widespread the invasion was.
READ MORE: Couple Sought After Speaking to Man on Somerset Station Platform Before Fatal Incident
READ MORE: Approval Granted for 120 New Parking Spaces to Support Hinkley Point C Workforce Near Rugby Club
While ladybirds can bite, they typically do so only if threatened or searching for food. Bites are usually harmless, causing minor irritation at most. Experts reassure the public that these insects are part of the natural ecosystem and serve an important role.
Professor Helen Roy, an ecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, explained that the surge is linked to the unusually high numbers of aphids—ladybirds’ primary food source—coupled with warm weather conditions. She encouraged people to support local wildlife by providing shallow dishes of water and allowing aphids to remain on garden plants to sustain the ladybirds.
Tim Coulson, professor of zoology at the University of Oxford, urged the public to “learn to love” ladybirds, highlighting their role as natural pest controllers. He compared their ecological importance to that of wolves regulating deer populations, emphasizing that ladybirds help keep aphid numbers in check, benefiting plants and the environment.
Dr. Peter Brown from Anglia Ruskin University noted that the last major ladybird population boom occurred in the hot summer of 1976, when large numbers also appeared on beaches. He stressed that the ladybirds are native to the UK and their increase is a natural response to favorable conditions, representing a positive sign for biodiversity.
Though unpleasant for some beach visitors, the ladybird influx underscores the complex interactions within nature, reminding us of the vital balance maintained by predators and their prey.