Ladybird invasion 'may last for up to six weeks'

MARY HAMILTON
04 August 2009 11:00

The “quite horrific” ladybird invasion that has carpeted north Norfolk in black and red could continue for another six weeks - and tourism in the area could be badly affected.

Good weather has prompted a massive baby boom for aphids - the main source of food for seven-spot ladybirds - and after gorging themselves on aphid larvae hundreds of thousands of the insects have invaded Cromer and are swarming along the Norfolk coast.

Townsfolk and tourists fighting through clouds of the black and red insects are resorting to manic swatting and appealing for aid from passers-by to help brush off the bugs.

A swarm in Cromer on Sunday was described by tourists as “quite horrific”.

David Hunter, president of the North Norfolk Tourism Roundtable, said: “I would expect this to have a very significant impact if it is stopping people from getting out of their cars and enjoying themselves.

“It is going to have an impact on tourists and on people going about their everyday business if they can't have windows open, and then there are food hygiene issues if there are bugs getting into everything.

“It's disappointing, annoying, and frustrating. We're in the lap of the gods with the weather, but I wasn't expecting to be in the lap of the gods with the insects too.”

Major invasion of lady birds at Cromer.

Ian Bedford, entomology facility manager at the John Innes Centre in Colney, said the infestation would continue until the ladybirds' food source dries up.

Dr Bedford added: “At the end of the summer we will see hundreds of thousands of dead ladybirds.”

To see video of a swarm at Cromer yesterday, go to www.eveningnews24.co.uk.

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