Ladybird Epidemic in Wexford

Kidchameleon

Hi all,

I was in Wexford today, specifically Cahor and I couldn't believe the amount of Ladybirds there. This is no exaggeration, there were millions of the things! At most I've seen 100 ladybirds my whole life, but today I was in shock. Even the locals here have never seen anything like it! What is the case of this epidemic?

MadsL

Kidchameleon wrote: »

.

Karma?

mikom

Kidchameleon wrote: »

Hi all,

I was in Wexford today, specifically Cahor and I couldn't believe the amount of Ladybirds there. This is no exaggeration, there were millions of the things! At most I've seen 100 ladybirds my whole life, but today I was in shock. Even the locals here have never seen anything like it! What is the case of this epidemic?

To quote Fran.............. "Are you a ladybird, or a dirtbird?"

The Backwards Man

I love ladybirds, I've read all their books.

KeithM89

Kidchameleon wrote: »

This is no exaggeration, there were millions of the things!

Heh


Drop of petrol will sort them out.

enda1

That's weird all right. Might get a better response in the nature forum or something though.

kneemos

Obviously a picnic nearby

cherryghost

I've noticed quite a lot around Dublin also.

AnonoBoy

Surely this is the start of some low-rent B-movie where ladybirds threaten to destroy our very way of life.

But a plucky kid and a grizzled reporter - whom nobody believes when they warn of the dangers of these no-doubt radioactive ladybirds - will save the day with their guile and cheeky charm.

Worry not folks. Worry not.

Fr_Dougal

They should be allowed marry whoever they want to.

Mycroft H

Wicklow town is wedged with them.

Possibly something to do with the amount of aphids about. There is tons of them at home.

kneemos

I was quite shocked as a youngster when a ladybird suddenly unfolded it's wings and flew away.

kneemos

BX 19 wrote: »

Wicklow town is wedged with them.

Possibly something to do with the amount of aphids about. There is tons of them at home.

Are they smart aphids?

TeddyTedson

What a bizarre name for an insect, Ladybird. Dafuq is up with that.
Where's the Ladbird?





*waits patiently for Ladyboy comment*

hullaballoo

NSFW.

It's the dry weather and the abundance of food. Our rose garden might actually see out the season!

Sauve

kneemos wrote: »

I was quite shocked as a youngster when a ladybird suddenly unfolded it's wings and flew away.

I wish I could do that

Speak Now

Ladybirds of Bangkok.

Hootanany

Kidchameleon wrote: »

Hi all,

I was in Wexford today, specifically Cahor and I couldn't believe the amount of Ladybirds there. This is no exaggeration, there were millions of the things! At most I've seen 100 ladybirds my whole life, but today I was in shock. Even the locals here have never seen anything like it! What is the case of this epidemic?

They look like very small apples.

The Backwards Man

TeddyTedson wrote: »

What a bizarre name for an insect, Ladybird. Dafuq is up with that.
Where's the Ladbird?





*waits patiently for Ladyboy comment*

They're not even real birds!

biko

Kidchameleon wrote: »

What is the case of this epidemic?

Enda wouldn't let Moses take the Jews out of Egypt?

Esel

Frying pan, hot oil... mmmmm ladybirds.

(o o)
(.~.)

LordSutch

Just the other day we were commenting hom many ladybirds there were in the garden this year/ Wicklow.

Miike

Up till this year I hadnt seen a lady bird in about 10 years was beginning to think they signed on in a different country

MadsL

biko wrote: »

Enda wouldn't let Moses take the Jews out of Egypt?

I knew they were Irish? Jewish? Who knew?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0819/468925-egypt-protests/

tommy2bad

We call 'em 'God's cows' around here.

MadsL

Brits on tour!

Where have all the ladybirds disappeared to this summer?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/10214024/Where-have-all-the-ladybirds-disappeared-to-this-summer.html

TheMilkyPirate

They are literally everywhere down here, Its never been like this any other years id love to know what's causing it

Ihatecuddles-old

Sh*tloads of them in portlaoise too!

byhookorbycrook

Not so many here and would love some to attack the damn aphids.

tara73

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1203866/Ladybird-invasion-Population-explosion-sees-millions-bugs-descend-UK.html

it happens from time to time, this explosion of ladybird population. when I was a kid, I remember one in my hometown too, was unbelievable, millions of it.

unfortunately article doesn't say what causes it, some deeper googling might find the solution..:)

Muise...

there must be lots of aphids in Wexford this year.

10 million-strong swarm in England a few years ago:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/8171461.stm

tara73

http://rosegibb.blogspot.de/2010/05/lady-bird-invasion-wirral-1976.html

...must have sth. to do with the ongoing heat we had this summer

Kersh

Just back from hols down in Curracloe and there are loads of them around.

Was wondering what was up.

Pai Mei

Ladybirds are like the only insects I tolerate because their so cute

Muise...

Pai Mei wrote: »

Ladybirds are like the only insects I tolerate because their so cute

Aw shucks!

Coll1e

Apparently the Mooney show were discussing the huge numbers of ladybirds and they put it down to the lack of swifts in Ireland this summer. Apparently they're the main predator of the ladybird.

BTW there were hundreds of them swarming on the trig pillar on top of Djouce mountain in Wicklow yesterday evening

Wacker The Attacker

What about the ladyboy epidemic?

Lapin

cherryghost wrote: »

I've noticed quite a lot around Dublin also.

BX 19 wrote: »

Wicklow town is wedged with them.

Ihatecuddles wrote: »

Sh*tloads of them in portlaoise too!

I saw one in Galway yesterday.




Just to keep you updated with the reports coming in from across the nation.

ScumLord

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Surely this is the start of some low-rent B-movie where ladybirds threaten to destroy our very way of life.

This would be my guess too. Is there a town nearby that has an invisible, yet impenetrable dome surrounding it?

Lapin

ScumLord wrote: »

Is there a town nearby that has an invisible, yet impenetrable dome surrounding it?

Athlone.

The dome is there to keep the natives in.

Roger_007

Some of them must have been Gentlemanbirds?

holystungun9

They're whores for the strawberries! Word from the wise, don't ever come between a ladybird and a strawberry.

paddy147

Lapin wrote: »

Athlone.

The dome is there to keep the natives in.

...and keep the Chinese out...:pac:

corktina

Beetlemania

salacious crumb

Kidchameleon wrote: »

Hi all,

I was in Wexford today, specifically Cahor and I couldn't believe the amount of Ladybirds there. This is no exaggeration, there were millions of the things! At most I've seen 100 ladybirds my whole life, but today I was in shock. Even the locals here have never seen anything like it! What is the case of this epidemic?

Jesus, theose pics are unbelievable :eek:

Kidchameleon

salacious crumb wrote: »

Jesus, theose pics are unbelievable :eek:

I uploaded a vid for you:

Was on a Ferry to France a few weeks ago and the top couple of deck levels had a load of ladybirds on it the whole way back. There were none at all on the way back though.

Kidchameleon

Deleted User wrote: »

Was on a Ferry to France a few weeks ago and the top couple of deck levels had a load of ladybirds on it the whole way back. There were none at all on the way back though.

French would eat anything

Tropheus

Better than the wasp epidemic in Dublin.

Annasopra

Wacker The Attacker wrote: »

What about the ladyboy epidemic?

In Thailand?