Like many insects, ladybirds enter a state of inactivity over winter known as diapause – an insect version of hibernation. It is as if they are ‘pushing pause’ on their lives, so they can avoid the cold, harsh weather and emerge in spring when conditions are better.
Dr Elizabeth Duncan, professor of Zoology at the University of Leeds explains why ladybirds appear in swarms at this time of year, which are known as aggregations.
She says: “They huddle together to find shelter and stable conditions. Insects are ectothermic which means they can’t regulate their own body temperature and are dependent on their environment, so they need to find spots where they can stay insulated and avoid freezing.”
“They need heat and energy to fly so what we are seeing at the moment is them taking advantage of the good weather to find the right place to hunker down for winter.”
Often it seems, this cosy spot would appear to be a window sill, as ladybirds can easily squeeze through the small gaps around loose fitting windows.
