We had a bit of a ladybird explosion today in the bedrooms, with two different sorts of Harlequinn ladybirds appearing in great numbers on our window sills and in the window frames themselves. Overall, there were probably well over 100 or so across both ours and the spare bedrooms. There have been a lot of similar occurrences across the UK this summer, although nothing compared to the population explosion of 1976, which we recall rather well. Jack was visiting a stately home at one stage (probably a National Trust property) and recalls walking up the driveway, stepping on ladybirds in their hundreds because it was impossible to avoid them.
Back in 1990 a parasite destroying much of the ladybird larva from that year, so affecting populations for many years after that! This year, thot summer will have helped the ladybird population begin to recover.
Hopefully this year's increase will start a new upward trend.