The Bugs Matter 2024 survey, led by Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust, is calling on citizen scientists across the UK to participate in this crucial insect population study.
Since the first reference survey in 2004 led by RSPB, analysis of records from nearly 26,500 journeys across the UK shows a continuing decrease in bug splats, with the number of splats sampled on vehicle number plates by citizen scientists decreasing by 78% nationwide between 2004 and 2023.
Bugs Matter 2024 survey
“We’re at a critical juncture in the 2024 survey season,” says Paul Hetherington, Buglife Director of Fundraising and Communications. “The summer holidays present an ideal opportunity for families to contribute to this important citizen science initiative while on their travels. Many people are noticing fewer insects this year so please collect more data over your summer break to help us understand the situation better.”
The 2024 survey began on 1 May, and since then 5,292 journeys have been logged, covering an impressive distance of 146,291 miles, showcasing the collective effort of citizen scientists across the UK to collect valuable scientific data.
Each journey recorded represents a vital contribution to our understanding of insect abundance and the data will help to inform better conservation policy and practice to save our bugs.
Dr Lawrence Ball, Kent Wildlife Ecological Data Analyst Lead shares: “Notably, participants in the South East have emerged as the front runners, having logged an impressive 1,279 journeys over the survey period so far. The East of England and Scotland are not far behind with 1,068 and 472 journeys, respectively, but there is still time for these regions and others to overtake before the end of September!”
A noticeable lack of insects across the UK this summer has been the subject of much discussion across many social media platforms and discussion groups; with individuals and conservation groups expressing their fears about our future if we don’t take action for insects now.
A number of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation charities have recently come forward with anecdotal observations linking to possible declines in insects too. Bat conservation groups across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Worcestershire, Essex and South Lancashire have said that they are seeing an increase in the number of “starving” or “underweight” bats, often juveniles, who need to be rescued and cared for by volunteers. In some places, they are seeing fewer bats than they usually do in the summer.
Similarly, Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue recently shared that “This year has been a true ‘eye-opener’ into the ‘issues’ regarding the lack of insect life and the weather patterns. The direct impact on insectivores/garden birds across various species has been all too clear: failed nestlings, abandoned nests/broods, and emaciation cases. As well as garden birds, we have taken on the care of 16 juvenile swifts, and many of these admissions have been emaciation cases.”
Conservationists are expressing that several factors may be contributing to the lack of insects, including habitat loss, pesticide use, light pollution, invasive non-native species and changing climate, and the knock-on effects on other species. Many experts are also advising that the unusual weather conditions of the last two years are an exacerbating factor. With a prolonged wet spring, and colder than usual summer conditions, many insect breeding cycles will have been impacted.
Dr Lawrence Ball emphasises the need for more research: “While these theories are plausible and anecdotal observations are valuable, we need robust data to understand the full picture. That’s why every contribution to the Bugs Matter survey is vital.”
The 2024 survey ends on 30 September 2024. Families, friends and individuals are encouraged to take part in the survey as part of their summer holiday activities. Further details on supporting Bugs Matter can be found at buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bugs-matter/
Bugs Matter 2023 summary:
- 6,637 journeys made in total during 2023
- 16,394 journeys in the 2023 Bugs Matter dataset
- 1,260 new Bugs Matter App users in 2023
- The number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates across the UK decreased by 77.6% between 2004 and 2023
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- The number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates in Scotland decreased by 77.1% between 2004 and 2023
- The number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates in Wales decreased by 78.8% between 2004 and 2023
- The number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates in England decreased by 82.6% between 2004 and 2023
- The number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates in Northern Ireland decreased by 54.4% between 2021 and 2023 (please note different dates due to insufficient data in previous years)
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Most journeys recorded in the Bugs Matter dataset:
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- Kent – 1,292
- Essex – 670
- Norfolk – 579
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- The survey is based on the ‘windscreen phenomenon’, a term given to the anecdotal observation that people tend to find fewer insects squashed on the windscreens of their cars now, compared to the past.
- Counting insects not only gives an estimate of the abundance of insect life in our towns and countryside, but also a measure of the health of our environment. Insects are essential to supporting and maintaining a healthy environment, so when their numbers fall, that is an indication that nature is in trouble.
- Insect numbers can also show where wildlife is recovering, and so Bugs Matter can be used to measure how the work of conservation organisations and others is helping nature’s recovery.
- There are many other ways in which people can help reverse insect declines:
- Using alternatives to peat can help reduce CO2 emissions and slow the impact of climate change on insects and our environment.
- Put away the spray – by eliminating or reducing our use of pesticides, we can stop the decline of thousands of insects in an instant.
- Be less tidy – you can help the insects in your garden by letting the grass grow longer and sowing wildflowers. If every garden had a little patch for insects, collectively it would probably be the biggest area of wildlife habitat in the world.
- Watch your footprint – climate change is a growing threat to a wide range of wildlife, including insects. Buy your food from local suppliers, use your local shop, or grow your own vegetables. Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint, it will also help small food producers to compete with big food and farming businesses.
- Join an organisation such as your local Wildlife Trust or Buglife. Charities like these do vital work to protect and restore our most important wildlife sites, restore lost habitats at scale and reconnect our countryside through initiatives like B-Lines, lobby government for stronger laws to reduce pesticide use and work to improve the quality of waters in our rivers and streams.
Buglife |
Buglife is the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates our aim is to halt the extinction of invertebrate species and to achieve sustainable populations of invertebrates. Invertebrates are vitally important to a healthy planet – humans and other life forms could not survive without them. The food we eat, the fish we catch, the birds we see, the flowers we smell and the hum of life we hear, simply would not exist without bugs. Invertebrates underpin life on earth and without them the world’s ecosystems would collapse. www.buglife.org.uk
Kent Wildlife Trust |
Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity with more than 31,000 members and over 1000 registered volunteers. We manage and protect over 9000 acres of land across more than 80 different sites and nature reserves, alongside 3 visitor centres. We work closely with local communities, landowners, and partners to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast, and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent. The charity also campaigns against inappropriate and damaging development; and educates and inspire young people to help secure a more sustainable future and create a Wilder Kent. Visit our website here: kentwildlifetrust.org.uk
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