Bug splat survey reveals 'alarming' decline

A survey tracking the "staggering" decline in insect numbers across the UK and Ireland has begun.

The Bugs Matter survey, led by Kent Wildlife Trust and invertebrate charity Buglife, runs from 1 May to 30 September each year and sees "citizen scientists" record the number of bug splats on their vehicle number plates after a journey.

The results from 2024 found the number of flying insect splats recorded across the UK had fallen by 63% since 2021. Ireland was not included in last year's survey but will take part this year.

Dr Lawrence Ball, from Kent Wildlife Trust, said the decline could perhaps be linked to "the extreme climate in the UK in recent years".

Insects play a vital role in the ecosystem by pollinating crops, providing natural pest control, decomposing waste and underpinning food chains that support birds, mammals and other wildlife.

Dr Ball said: "Without insects, the planet's ecological systems would collapse so this huge decrease in insect splats over such a short time is really alarming."

Bug splats declined 8% in 2024, following sharper drops of 44% in 2023 and 28% in 2022.

Dr Ball said the slowing rate of decline shows the curve may flatten or even reverse next year.

More than 25,000 journeys have been analysed as part of the survey since 2021.

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