Diseased ladybirds are invading

If you've been noticing more ladybirds recently, there is a reason for it.

And it's all about us with this summer.

Experts say numbers of the invasive Harlequin species have been boosted following the heatwave.

And now that they have cooled down, they are hibernating in buildings.

They are looking for small cracks around the world, report the Mirror.

But the bold bugs have not just been nestling in homes, but landing on people too – or in Elaine Petersen's case, swarming them.

The 72-year-old was filmed in the critters at Merthyr Mawr.

Mrs Petersen, from Rumney, was out walking her dog with her husband and her yesterday.

They went to the dunes and that's when they saw the ladybirds covering the walls of Candleston Castle.

"The castle wall was heaving with them.

"I was taking pictures of the castle, and my son said 'you're covered in ladybirds mum!'

"I'm not scared of anything like that, creepy crawlies do not faze me at all so I just stood there and let them land on me.

"Apparently people saw them right in Cardiff, but not as many as that."

Mrs Petersen says there "are all different species there, and different colors."

Professor Helen Roy at the Center for Ecology and Hydrology, who organizes the UK Ladybird Survey, told the BBC that the insects started in the north of England where the weather first turned cool, before spreading down the country.

She said: "It's quite a wildlife show to see."

The Harlequin ladybird is native to Asia and North America.

The Harlequin carries a sexually transmitted disease which is affecting our native population.

The disease is called Laboulbeniales which is a form of fungi. This fungus is then passed over by mating or close to native species.

The disease can not be passed on to humans and is not harmful to humans in any way.

Dozens of people have taken to social media to report the swarms of the insects in the last few days.

Twitter user Teri-lou, from Rhoose to the social media site to ask: "Why are there so many ladybirds around?"

Nathan Edgy uploaded a picture to Twitter with the caption: "Ladybirds everywhere!"

The bugs have been dubbed Britain's most invasive species by scientists as they prey on seven native ladybirds.

They are larger and more aggressive than other ladybirds and will even eat them alive.

Ladybirds seen in homes are likely to be invasive species as native species to hibernate in trees or leaf litter.

Ladybird survey organize Peter Brown told the BBC Harlequin ladybirds sometimes bite people if no food is available, which can leave a little bump and sting. Some people may have a severe allergic reaction to it.

He said that if you see the Harlequins in your home, it could be easier to leave them alone.

The UK Ladybird Survey explains that harlequins were introduced to North America in 1988, where it is most prevalent. It has already been invaded much of north-western Europe, and arrived in Britain in summer 2004.

There are 46 species of ladybird (Coccinellidae) resident in Britain and the recent arrival of the Harlequin ladybird has the potential to jeopardize many of these. They are monitoring its spread across Britain and its impact on native ladybirds.