1w ago

‘Alarming’ bug splat decline on UK cars raises fears for flying insect numbers

www.theguardian.com

The long-term decline in the number of flying insects being splattered on cars after a journey is well recognised by older drivers. But the latest survey has revealed that the number of insects found on vehicle number plates has plummeted by 63% since 2021.

An analysis of records from more than 25,000 journeys across Britain since 2021 reveals an alarming apparent drop in flying insect abundance, although the rate of decrease slowed in 2024.

Bug splats on the numberplates of citizen scientists using the Bugs Matter app for the Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife survey declined 8% from 2023 to 2024, after sharper drops of 44% in 2023 and 28% in 2022.

21 comments

Yeah this is awful. I even notice the lack of insects when simply walking outside.
I'm currently in the process of putting flowers in my yard for the sake of the bees.
- If you like bumblebees, get lots of plants in the borage family, they go made for them! Aromatic/culinary herbs are also great.
  
  I've got a whole row of borage flowering in my container garden, and haven't seen a single bee in it :/
  
  My California lilac and rosemary are getting all the attention at the moment. There's still a lot of trees etc in flower at the moment so don't dispair yet! I expect my green alkanet and viper's bugloss (when it flowers later) will be busy once the spring moves to summer. Geraniums and salvias too!