On the shores of the Black Sea and Tuzlovsky lagoons, a mass death of seven-spotted ladybugs (Coccinella septempunctata) has been observed. It is estimated that during the two-week migration, hundreds of millions of ladybugs perished. This was reported by Ivan Rusev, a researcher at the National Natural Park "Tuzlovsky Lagoons" and a Doctor of Biological Sciences.

Possible reasons for the ecological phenomenon

Ecologist Ivan Rusev proposed two main hypotheses that could explain this occurrence. The first likely reason is the 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 this onslaught and subsequent death of the insects is attributed to the simultaneous harvesting of crops. According to him, a large quantity of grain crops in the Ukrainian Black Sea region was harvested at once, which sharply deprived the ladybugs of their food sources.

Ivan Rusev emphasized the importance of preserving uncultivated natural areas. According to him, in such areas, insects have the opportunity to redistribute and maintain the necessary balance of ecosystems, helping to prevent similar mass events in the future.