A ladybird species who are rife with sexual transmitted diseases has made a devilish return to the Britain.
Harlequin ladybirds - who have black wings and are yellow in colour - can have multiple broods throughout the spring and summer, reports the Liverpool Echo.
They spread a fungal disease called Laboulbeniales and have been invading homes in Merseyside - where people have claimed the bugs even 'dropped from the ceiling into someone's food'.
They are rumoured to pass on a "dangerous" sexually-transmitted disease called Laboulbeniales fungal disease.
Residents in Woolton have reported seeing an 'invasion' of the foreign insects in their homes, according to one local councillor who said they were spotted in some homes.
Labour councillor Alice Bennett, who represents the Woolton ward, said the bugs had been spotted in a block of high rise flats.
In some stomach-churning cases, she claims the insects were even dropping from ceilings into people's food.
Scientists have labelled the animal Britain's most invasive species, as it preys on seven native ladybirds - including the common two-spot.
But what exactly is the 'STD' that these foreign insects carry - and can it be passed to humans?
Here is all you should need to know about the insects - including where they have come from and how to get rid of them in your home.
What are the insects?
They are a species called Harmonia axyridis, otherwise known as Harlequin ladybirds.
It is a varied species which carries a large range of colours and they can have red, orange and yellow-ish markings.
The harlequin is regarded as the most invasive ladybird species on earth.
It is larger and more aggressive than other ladybirds and will even eat them
Do the ladybirds carry STDs?
Yes - but not in the way you might think. The ladybirds carry a disease called Laboulbeniales which is a form of fungi.
It isn’t known exactly what effect it has on the bugs but it causes yellow finger-like growths.
Scientists say the fungus, which is passed on through mating, will infect our native species, which are already under threat from habitat loss.
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While they don't yet know if the fungus is harmful, the UK Ladybird Survey says it is possible that the disease affects the lifespan or the number of eggs a female can produce over her lifespan.
Laboulbeniales can also occur in other bugs but is a common infection for ladybirds.
It is spread through close contact during mating and can also be passed on if the bugs huddle close together.
Can humans catch the STDs?
No - the disease can’t be passed on to humans. Laboulbeniales is also not harmful to humans.
Why is it a threat, then?
Harlequin ladybirds carrying the disease could greatly affect our native bugs by passing on the fungus.
And, as the population of the insects is already dwindling, it could lead to the numbers falling even more.
It isn’t known exactly how it will affect them but it could be dangerous to their health.
The bugs can also leave behind a nasty chemical smell in the home. They can also crawl over your furniture, leaving unsightly stains.
Where did they come from?
Most Harlequins come from Asia but they are also migrating from North America.
Although the species has been in the UK since 2004, the population has recently grown and has become more noticeable.
When did they arrive in the UK?
It was first introduced to the USA in 1916 and has rapidly invaded parts of Canada, most of Europe, and a few South American and Southern and North African countries.
The harlequin ladybird arrived in the UK in 2004. It was first introduced in Essex, and has since made its way as far as Cornwall and the Shetland Islands.
Since being introduced to Russia in 2010, it has expanded its range southwards by 186 miles a year.
Are black ladybirds poisonous?
No, black ladybirds aren’t poisonous to humans or pets. They are just another colour from the same species.
Do ladybirds bite?
They could do. According to experts, if hungry, the bugs could bite humans.
When hungry, harlequin ladybirds will bite humans in their search for something edible.
Ladybirds in houses, woken from dormancy by central heating, may bite people as there is no food available.
The bites usually produce a small bump and sting slightly.
However, there are a few documented cases of people having a severe allergic reaction to harlequin ladybirds.
How do you get rid of ladybirds?
Experts advise that the best and most humane way to remove them from your home is with a glass and a piece of card.
The bugs carry a chemical that, if it touches a surface, could ruin furniture. So it’s probably best not to crush them.
Follow all the latest news by Tom Kershaw
Tom Kershaw is a senior reporter for Hull Live and the Hull Daily Mail. He is currently covering breaking news in Hull and East Yorkshire.
You can also call him on 01482 315266, or email him: firstname.lastname@example.org.
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