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Experts have revealed the best way to eliminate ladybugs carrying STDs from your home.
Red bugs, called Harlequin ladybugs, are said to transmit a "dangerous" sexually transmitted disease called Laboulbeniales fungal disease.
Creepy crawlies have black wings and come from Asia and North America by the mild winds of autumn.
And they would have invaded Merseyside – many locals going on social media to report bugs gathering.
(Image: PA)
One owner said, "They are everywhere in front of my house and some have come in, they are everywhere."
Experts suggest that the best humane way to remove them from your home is with a glass and a piece of cardboard.
Insects carry a chemical that, if it touches a surface, could destroy the furniture. So it's probably best not to crush them.
Scientists have dubbed the animal the most invasive species of Britain, since it attacks seven native ladybugs, including the common spot at two.
But what exactly is this disease that they carry – and can it be passed on to humans?
Here's all you need to know about insects:
What are insects?
It is a species called Harmonia axyridis, also called Harlequin ladybug.
It is a varied species that carries a wide range of colors and may have red, orange and yellow markings.
Harlequin is considered the most invasive ladybug species on the planet.
It is bigger and more aggressive than other ladybugs and will eat them even.
Do ladybirds carry STDs?
Yes, but not as you might think. Ladybugs are carriers of a disease called Laboulbeniales, a form of mushroom.
It is not clear exactly what effect it has on insects, but it does cause yellow finger growths.
Scientists say that the fungus, which is transmitted during mating, will infect our native species, already threatened by the loss of their habitat.
Although they still do not know if the fungus is harmful, the UK Ladybird Survey indicates that it is possible that the disease will affect the shelf life or the number of eggs that are present. a woman can produce during her life.
Laboulbeniales can also appear in other insects, but it is a common infection in ladybugs.
It spreads through close contact during mating and can also be transmitted if the insects nestle against each other.
Can humans catch STDs?
No, the disease can not be transmitted to humans. Laboulbeniales is also not harmful to humans.
Why is it a threat, then?
Harlequin ladybirds with the disease could greatly affect our native insects by transmitting the fungus.
And, as the insect population is already shrinking, this could lead to an even larger drop in the number of its insects.
It is not clear how this will affect them, but it could be dangerous for their health.
Insects can also leave an unpleasant chemical smell at home. They can also crawl on your furniture, leaving unsightly stains.
Where do they come from?
Most harlequins come from Asia, but they also migrate from North America.
Although the species has been in the United Kingdom since 2004, the population has recently increased and become more visible.
When did they arrive in the UK?
It was introduced for the first time in the United States in 1916 and quickly invaded parts of Canada, most of Europe and some countries of South America and North Africa. and South.
The Harlequin Ladybug arrived in the United Kingdom in 2004. It was first introduced in Essex and has since made its way up to Cornwall and the Shetland Islands.
Since its introduction in Russia in 2010, its range has expanded to the south by 186 km annually.
Do ladybugs bite?
They could do. According to experts, if they were hungry, insects could sting the man.
When they are hungry, Harlequin ladybirds will bite humans in their quest for an edible food.
House ladybugs, taken from dormancy by central heating, may bite people because there is no food available.
The bites usually produce a small lump and sting slightly.
However, there are some documented cases of people having a severe allergic reaction to Harlequin ladybugs.
Send your Harlequin ladybug photos to [email protected]
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