Tragedy of Ladybugs: Mass Die-Off in Ukraine
On the shores of the Black Sea and Tuzlov Lakes, a significant die-off of seven-spotted ladybugs (Coccinella septempunctata) has been recorded. It is estimated that during a two-week migration, hundreds of millions of these insects perished. This was reported by Ivan Rusev, a staff member of the National Nature Park «Tuzlov Lakes» and Doctor of Biological Sciences.
Possible Causes of the Ecological Catastrophe
Ecologist Ivan Rusev proposed two main hypotheses that could explain this phenomenon. The first probable cause is increased humidity in spring, which led to a rapid rise in aphid populations. In response, there was a mass reproduction of ladybugs that feed on these pests.
The second reason for the influx and subsequent death of these insects, according to the scientist, is the large-scale harvesting of crops. He stated that a significant amount of grain crops in the Ukrainian Black Sea region was harvested simultaneously, sharply depriving ladybugs of their food source.
Ivan Rusev emphasized the importance of preserving undisturbed natural areas. According to him, it is in these regions that insects can redistribute and maintain the necessary balance of ecosystems, helping to prevent similar mass occurrences in the future.
