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.
“This huge decrease in insect splats over such a short time is really alarming,” said Lawrence Ball of Kent Wildlife Trust. “Its most likely that we are seeing the compounding effects of both a background rate of decline as well as a short-term cycle of decline, perhaps linked to the extreme climate in the UK in recent years.”
The new data shows a decrease in insect splat rates across all UK nations, with the sharpest fall between 2021 and 2024 recorded in Scotland at 65%. In England, the number of insect splats fell by 62%, in Wales by 64%, and in Northern Ireland by 55%.
Scientific surveys of other well-studied insects in Britain, such as butterflies and moths, have also revealed stark recent declines.
Andrew Whitehouse, of Buglife, said: “The latest Bugs Matter data suggests that the abundance of flying insects in our countryside has fallen again. The consequences are potentially far-reaching, not only impacting the health of the natural world, but affecting so many of the essential services that nature provides for us.
“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.”
Among those participating in the Bugs Matter survey are engineers for the telecoms company Openreach, who contributed about 10% of the registered journeys where bugs were recorded.
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The survey is relaunching for 2025 from Saturday 1 May and runs until 30 September, and this year will expand into the Republic of Ireland. Anyone can download the free mobile app and start recording insect splats on vehicle journeys.
