A ladybird invasion is sweeping the country.

Houses in Chester and across the North West have been taken over by the bugs.

Clusters of the creepy-crawlies have been spotted in the corners and crannies of homes.

Chronicle readers have been sending in their ladybird pictures as the invasion gathers momentum.

Clusters of ladybirds have been invading homes in Chester

Harlequin ladybirds, with the scientific name Harmonia axyridis, first arrived in Britain in 2004.

Insect charity Buglife describes them as ‘one of the most invasive species in the world’.

Experts say the foreign invaders, which have black instead of red wings, could also pose a threat to the domestic species because they carry a sexually-transmitted disease, called Laboulbeniales fungal disease.

Clusters of ladybirds have been invading homes in Chester. Picture by Andy Scargill

A Buglife spokesman said: “Harlequins are not a direct threat to humans, but they can leave a nasty smell, crawl over your furniture and leave unsightly stains.

“In centrally heated houses they may be woken up from hibernation by the warmth and fly around the house.”

More than 100 different colour patterns of Harlequin ladybirds have been recorded.

They have moved inside to find warmth as they prepare to hibernate for the winter.

Already this year we have seen high numbers of giant spiders and daddy longlegs thanks to a wet and warm summer.

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