Bugs Matter Citizen Science survey shows further decreases in insect numbers

The troubling extent of insect declines has been highlighted once again by the 2023 Bugs Matter citizen science survey published today. The new report reveals that the abundance of flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates has fallen by a staggering 78% since 2004.

The Bugs Matter survey, led by Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, is supported by a nationwide network of volunteer citizen scientists who record insect splats on their vehicle number plates after journeys. 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 in 2023 decreasing by 78% nationwide.

Concern over insect numbers

Insects are critical to ecosystem functioning and services. They pollinate crops, provide natural pest control, decompose waste and recycle nutrients, and underpin food chains that support birds, mammals and other wildlife. Without insects, the planet’s ecological systems would collapse.

Dr. Lawrence Ball of Kent Wildlife Trust stated: “These results are extremely concerning, particularly if insect splats serve as an accurate measure of insect populations. This is a red flag for the state of nature in the UK that shouldn’t be ignored. A decrease in the number of insects sampled of more than 75% in less than two decades is really alarming, and we’re seeing fewer insects being sampled every year! It is critically important that we continue to run Bugs Matter, and we’re so grateful for the ongoing commitment of citizen scientists to the Bugs Matter survey, which led to more data in 2023 than in any previous year. ”

The new data shows decreases in insect splat rates across all regions of the UK, with the sharpest fall between 2004 and 2023 recorded in England at 83%. Scotland saw a 76% drop, while Wales experienced a 79% decrease over the same period. Northern Ireland, with limited data, showed a 54% decline between 2021 and 2023.

Andrew Whitehouse of Buglife added:  “The latest Bugs Matter data suggests that the abundance of flying insects in our countryside has dramatically fallen.  The consequences are potentially far-reaching, not only impacting the health of the natural world, but affecting so many of the free services that nature provides for us. The Bugs Matter findings are similar to other studies which have documented declines in insect abundance from around the world.

Human activities continue to have a huge impact on nature – habitat loss and damage, pesticide use, pollution, and climate change all contribute to the decline in insects.  Society must heed the warning signs of ecological collapse, and take urgent action to restore nature”.

The report’s authors caution that further long-term monitoring is needed to reliably estimate trends, but stress that the current pace of decline is unsustainable. By taking part in the Bugs Matter survey each year, citizen scientists can provide crucial data to better understand insect population patterns. They call for urgent action to address drivers of insect declines like habitat loss, unsustainable agricultural practices, and environmental pollutants.

Andrew Whitehouse concluded: “Thank you to everyone who took part in the Bugs matter survey in 2023.  Without your help we would not have this crucial data on the health of our insect populations and our environment. We are relaunching the survey in May this year, and hope that lots more people will join in.”

The Bugs Matter survey will continue annually to generate crucial data on flying insect populations across the UK. It is quick, free and easy to get involved – just download the free mobile phone app, and start recording insect splats on vehicle journeys.

2024 will see the survey season extended to firstly capture even more valuable data and secondly to potentially account for changes and variations in weather patterns and possible insect emergence events; participants can now record journeys and submit date between Wednesday 1 May and Monday 30 September.

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 2023The number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates across the UK decreased by 77.6% between 2004 and 2023
  –  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)

Most journeys recorded in the Bugs Matter dataset:

• Kent – 1,292
• Essex – 670
• Norfolk – 579

• 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.

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

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

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