Angus World | Setting | Survey finds decline in insect numbers

The results underscore the urgent need for more, large-scale research on insects and action to reverse the decline in their abundance.

The results of the survey, led by conservation organizations Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, show another shocking decline in the number of flying insects in the UK and support calls for urgent action to restore insect populations.

The survey takes place every summer and involves Citizen Scientists who record the number of bug spatters on their license plates after a drive.

The latest report also found a 5% sharper fall than between 2004 and 2021, although figures for Scotland showed an upward trend.

There are many causes of insect mortality – including habitat loss and degradation, climate change, pollution of rivers and streams, use of pesticides and wildland development.

The Bugs Matter team is now busy with upgrades to its app in time for the 2023 survey season, including a trial of artificial intelligence to automatically detect the number of bug spatters on a license plate.

Evan Bowen-Jones, chief executive of the Kent Wildlife Trust said: “Thanks to citizen scientists across the country we are able to have a better picture of the health of our insect populations and we are already seeing some worrying patterns in the data.

“However, we need more to participate next year and into the future to understand whether we are seeing actual long-term trends or the impact of the extreme temperatures we faced in 2022.”

Buglife’s Andrew Whitehouse said: “For the second year in a row, Bugs Matter has shown a potentially catastrophic decline in the number of flying insects. Urgent action is needed to address the loss of diversity and abundance of insect life. We will expect our leaders at COP15 to act decisively to restore nature on a large scale – both for wildlife and for the health and well-being of future generations.”

Next year’s poll starts on June 1st. Anyone who would like to take part can download the free app from the Apple Store and Googlee play.