Social media platform TikTok sees no end to bizarre challenges, trends and crazes, but the now-viral ‘ladybug raid’ seems to be raising eyebrows.
Consisting of 250,000 ladybugs and a prime location in New York City’s Central Park, one TikTok user has been documenting the so-called ladybug raid and its aftermath.
So, what exactly is a ladybug raid and why is the phrase trending online? Here’s what we know.
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What is a ladybug raid?
Exactly as it sounds, a ladybug raid is the release of thousands – or millions – of the red-and-black spotted insects in one area.
The idea came into play when one TikTok user wrote: “Hey TikTok, so apparently 100k lady bugs costs only $75… If this video gets 30 likes I will buy 100 million lady bugs and do a ladybug invasion in NYC… Everyone spam ‘ladybug raid’ in the comments.”
The term has popularised after TikTok users spammed the comments section of the video, asking for a NYC ladybug raid in the hope the takeover would make headlines.
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Insect takeover documented on TikTok
After reaching more than 500k views on the original TikTok video, the first ‘swarm’ of the ladybug raid was documented on TikTok.
The video appears to show 250,000 insects released in Central Park, although we must stress this figure has not been proven – there is no media coverage surrounding the bug takeover.
The clip racked up more than 1.9 million views on TikTok, however, but the same user later claimed a lawsuit had been filed against them for “environmentally terrorising” New York. The validity of this claim has also yet to be confirmed.
In a dramatic turn of events, the original ladybug raid poster claimed they were on house arrest following the lawsuit, and later “moved to Colombia” where “ladybug raids aren’t illegal”.
Take a look at the ladybug raid TikTok saga below and make your own mind up whether this is real:
Ladybug raids can be beneficial if carried out correctly
Clearly the TikTok ladybug raid didn’t go as planned, but the release of mass amounts of the insect has been carried out before in Central Park and proved beneficial.
According to CentralPark.com, 140,000 ladybugs were released into the Wildflower Meadows by Central Park Conservancy in 2013. The idea was for the bugs to ward off destructive and harmful insects.
Ladybugs can act as an environmentally friendly alternative to harmful pesticides.
