Britons are spotting unusually high numbers of ladybirds this summer, and experts say it’s all thanks to a perfect mix of warm weather and booming aphid populations, their primary food source.

The surge made headlines on Thursday when a swarm of ladybirds disrupted play at Lord’s Cricket Ground during England’s match against India, prompting a brief pause as players swatted away the tiny red-and-black beetles.

According to Prof. Helen Roy, a leading ecologist and ladybird expert at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, “We’re seeing very high numbers of ladybirds this year because of favourable conditions higher temperatures and an abundance of aphids.”

Ladybirds (also known as ladybugs) are not just harmless—they play a vital role in natural pest control by feeding on aphids, which damage crops and garden plants.

Prof. Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, encouraged the public to “learn to love” the insects for their essential ecological function.

“These beetles are natural allies in agriculture and gardening,” Coulson said. “Their presence reflects a healthy food web and a functioning ecosystem.