A TOWN has been taken over – by a swarm of ladybirds.
Residents say there are so many they are like a “living carpet” and
they have to shovel them out of their homes. But they still keep coming in
their millions.
Pesticides are not keeping their numbers down and it is feared a mild winter
will mean even more will be on their way next year.
The increase is due to a rise in the number of aphids, the insects’ staple
diet.
The ladybirds descended overnight on the town of Lipova, in western Romania,
forcing people to seal up their homes.
Baffled resident Arina Deca, 50, said: “No matter what you do they keep
coming. I had my window open for a few minutes and when I closed it they
were like a living carpet.
“I swept up tens of thousands of them with a broom and shovel and took
them outside but more and more arrive all the time.”
Mayor Mircea Jichici said: “We’ve had very warm weather which must have
something to do with it. We’ve tried pesticides but we don’t have enough to
make an impact.”
Biologist Mihai Pascu said: “The rains led to the increase of aphids and
this in turn led to a sharp rise in the numbers of ladybirds. They are just
feasting while it lasts.”
