A SUMMER of bug invasions seems to be continuing in East Anglia - as large numbers of wasps join the swarms of ladybirds sweeping the region.In many coastal towns in Suffolk, there were reports of people being pestered by unusually large numbers of wasps at the weekend, with pubs and restaurants forced to put out wasp traps to lure them away from visitors.

A SUMMER of bug invasions seems to be continuing in East Anglia - as large numbers of wasps join the swarms of ladybirds sweeping the region.

In many coastal towns in Suffolk, there were reports of people being pestered by unusually large numbers of wasps at the weekend, with pubs and restaurants forced to put out wasp traps to lure them away from visitors.

The wasp invasion can be put down to the mild winter and the recent warm weather which has provided the perfect breeding ground for the insects.

Although official records are not made of the wasp population, August is the month that numbers tend to increase said Martin Sanford, biological records officer for the Suffolk Biological Records Centre.

Adrian Knowles, the hymenoptera recorder for the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, said his data focused on lesser-known bees and wasps and whether they had been seen.

'I cannot say I have been told it has been unusually busy (with wasps) but the last two summers have been dull and damp so it is probably surprising to people who are coming outside this summer and encountering these insects,' he said.

'The good weather brings us out, as well as the wasps.'